Warrant against ex-minister

A special CBI court issued non-bailable warrants against PK Thungan, former minister of state for Urban Development, for his failure to appear before it, reports New Delhi.

A special CBI court on Friday issued non-bailable warrants against PK Thungan, former minister of state for Urban Development, for his failure to appear before it in connection with a case of out-of-turn allotment of houses to government employees during 1993-1995.

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“Issue non-bailable warrants against accused P.K. Thungan for October 20,” Special CBI Judge R.K. Yadav said, rejecting the plea of Congress leader who had sought exemption from appearance on personal grounds.

Besides Thungan, 17 others, including the then additional personal secretary of Urban Development Minister Sheila Kaul, were named as accused in 1996 by the probe agency for allegedly receiving illegal gratification from around 102 government employees for granting out-of-turn accommodation.

The FIR was lodged on February 14, 1996, following a Supreme Court order on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the controversial government policy on house allotment.

The court, which was to pass its order on framing of charges against the accused, did not allow Thungan’s application seeking exemption on the ground that his wife was indisposed and asked the probe agency to ensure his presence on October 20.