Taj case hearing today, CBI waiting for nod

The CBI is still awaiting the “prosecution sanction” against U P Chief Minister Mayawati and others in the Rs 175-crore Taj Heritage Corridor case, reports Tushar Srivastava.

The CBI is still awaiting the “prosecution sanction” against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and others in the Rs 175-crore Taj Heritage Corridor case. The case has been listed for Tuesday in the special CBI court in Lucknow. It has been three months since the agency moved court with its investigation report. “We have still not received the sanction. The court taking cognizance of the charge is contingent upon the agency getting sanction,” a CBI official said on Monday. On February 15, the court had accepted the agency’s report and directed it to get the sanction of the prosecution. The CBI had moved immediately .

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“If we fail to get the sanction before the matter comes up tomorrow, we will inform the court that our application is still pending with the governor. The court will give a fresh date. It will remain the same till the CBI gets the governor’s nod,” the official said. The case first came before the Supreme Court after an advocate filed a PIL challenging the decision not to prosecute Mayawati on the basis of the opinion of the Attorney General, when the investigating officer had opined otherwise. The SC said the opinion of the AG was not required as the IO, superintendent of police and other concerned officers felt there was a case for Mayawati’s prosecution.

The CBI moved the court with all its material. Now, as per the SC directions, the magistrate will proceed in accordance with Section 173 (2) of the CrPC.