Arguments over in PIL against Mumbai Cong chief

The proceedings in the PIL against city Congress chief Kripashankar Singh, which seeks registration of FIR against him in a disproportionate assets case, have concluded before the Bombay high court.

The proceedings in the PIL against city Congress chief Kripashankar Singh, which seeks registration of FIR against him in a disproportionate assets case, have concluded before the Bombay high court.

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Both sides submitted final written arguments last week, and the court will pronounce the order in due course.

State advocate general Ravi Kadam had submitted during the arguments that Anti Corruption Bureau decided not to file FIR against Singh, because he and his wife allegedly had disproportionate assets worth over 11%, just above the ten per cent limit suggested by the Supreme Court for not launching the prosecution.

But petitioner Sanjay Tiwari's lawyers, Mahesh Jethmalani and Mihir Desai, argued that where a huge amount of money was involved, even one percent would translate into assets worth crores of rupees. In disproportionate assets case, if an offence was made out, the authorities had to lodge FIR, they said.

Singh's lawyer, Mukul Rohatgi, said "incalculable" harm would be caused to his client if an FIR was lodged without a preliminary inquiry.

He said Income Tax probe against Singh was nearly over and the matter had been sent for assessment. Enforcement Directorate had found no evidence of his involvement in corruption case against former Jharkhand chief minister, Madhu Koda, as alleged by the PIL, Rohatgi added.

In the last one year, Singh had faced probe by all the three agencies, on High Court's directive.

Singh's lawyer argued that the PIL should be dismissed as it was "politically" motivated.

The petitioner can file a private complaint with a magistrate, he cannot rush to the high court by making wild allegations, Rohatgi argued.