Bombay HC raps CBI for no arrests in Adarsh scam

The CBI was taken to task by the Bombay high court on Monday for not arresting any of the 14 accused — the list includes senior bureaucrats and politicians — in the Adarsh housing society scam, despite gathering incriminating evidence against several of them.

The CBI was taken to task by the Bombay high court on Monday for not arresting any of the 14 accused — the list includes senior bureaucrats and politicians — in the Adarsh housing society scam, despite gathering incriminating evidence against several of them.

“Haven’t you arrested accused persons involved in other scams during the course of investigation?” the division bench of justice PB Majmudar and justice RD Dhanuka asked. “Why make exception this time?”

Quizzing the CBI on how it planned to collect evidence without interrogating the accused in custody, the court said it is important that a message be sent out – that nobody is above the law. “Some of these people are very high-ranked, but you should take action without fear or favour.”

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When the CBI sought two to three weeks for the agency to take concrete steps, the court said: “For heaven’s sake, do it boldly.”

The judges ordered the CBI to send the incriminating information to relevant departments so proceedings could be initiated against those working with the government.