Trace source of funds, says SC

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to monitor Delhi Police investigation into the cash-for-vote scam, but asked the investigating agency to trace the source of money allegedly used to bribe some parliamentarians ahead of the 2008 trust vote in Lok Sabha.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to monitor Delhi Police investigation into the cash-for-vote scam, but asked the investigating agency to trace the source of money allegedly used to bribe some parliamentarians ahead of the 2008 trust vote in Lok Sabha.

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An SC bench declined the plea of former chief election commissioner JM Lyngdoh and observed the police had already filed a chargesheet in the case.

"The objective has been achieved. Everything should be left to concerned criminal court hearing the case. We were on minor aspect. Who were involved and in what manner is to be decided by the court (trial court)," the bench said, turning down the petitioner's request not to dispose of his petition.

As the police assured the bench that its probe would culminate within the next four weeks, the court allowed Lyngdoh to approach afresh at any state in future.

Though the court was in no mood to hear the petition further, it expressed the concern over police's failure to trace the source of money. "You must focus on this aspect," the bench added after perusing Delhi Police's status report in the case.

"You (Delhi Police) have not done what we said earlier. Find out the source of money. You can do it, if you want to do it," the court said.

During the earlier hearings, the SC had slammed the police for a "half-hearted" approach while probing the case.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel and BJP leader Arun Jaitley were also questioned about their alleged role in the scam late last month.

According to police, Jaitley was questioned to establish the link between Suhail Hindustani and a prominent English new channel, which telecast images of a 'sting operation' showing BJP MPs accepting cash, Patel was summoned to ascertain whether he had been contacted by the bribed MPs.