CBI Charge sheets High Court Judge
THE Central Bureau of Investigation has filed charge sheet against a High Court Judge and four others in the Court of Special Judge, Chandigarh in the case related to delivery of Rs . 15 lakhs cash at the door step of another High Court Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court in August, 2008. The charge sheet has been filed after receipt of Prosecution Sanction U/s 19 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 from Ministry of Law and Justice.
The CBI investigation established that the then High Court Judge, being a public servant, in the capacity of a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court obtained an amount of Rs . 15 lakhs and other valuable things without consideration from a private person (First), she knew to be interested in another private person (Second) from whom also she had obtained an air ticket. It is further established that another private person (Second) was not only an advocate who appeared before the High Court Judge in the matter of RSA 550 of 2007 but was also interested in the plot in Panchkula , which was subject matter of the said RSA along with his friend (Third private person). The High Court Judge had also obtained Rs . 2.5 Lakhs from the private person (First) on earlier occasion and was found using a mobile phone in his name.
The chargesheet has been filed for commission of offences punishable Under Section 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by the High Court Judge, U/s 120-B of IPC read with Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by a private person(First), another private person (Second), his friend / private person (Third) as well as 120-B IPC r/w sections 193 r/w 192, 196, 199 & 200 IPC and substantive offences thereof by private person (Second), private person (Third) and one other private person(Fourth).
The CBI release is quick to add, “The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it. Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial”.
The CBI normally does not add this reminder!