CBI files graft cases against Maneka

The two cases pertain to alleged lapses in distribution of funds to certain NGOs when she was minister. Your take?

The CBI on Thursday registered two cases against BJP MP Maneka Gandhi for alleged irregularities in distribution of funds to certain NGOs, when she was Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in the NDA government.

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The CBI registered the cases a week after it informed the Delhi High Court, hearing a PIL filed by advocate VM Singh seeking a CBI probe into the matter, that prima facie a regular case was made out after the preliminary enquiry into the charges.

The CBI registered the case under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and other sections of Prevention of Corruption Act.

Two other persons against whom the cases had been registered were Maulana Azad Education Foundation Secretary FU Siddiqui and the Foundation's then Treasurer and former Union Cabinet Secretary Zafar Saifullah.

The high court had on October 19 asked the CBI to investigate alleged irregularities in distribution of government funds to certain NGOs during Maneka's tenure as minister in NDA government.