ITANAGAR: The Supreme Court dismissed the interim application in writ petition (Criminal)-165/2021 filed by Nabam Tagam from Arunachal Justice Forum (AJF), praying the apex court to direct Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct preliminary inquiry into the corruption charges against the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu.
The three bench judges headed by Chief Justice of India Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, Justice AS Bopana and Justice Hima Kohli observed on Tuesday last that there is no need to pass any interim order on the said application at this stage and the said application stands disposed of.
“Having heard senior counsel appearing for the petitioners, senior counsel appearing for the state of Arunachal Pradesh and carefully perusing the material available on record, we find that the main relief and the interim relief prayed for are one and the same and as such, there is no need to pass any interim order in the said application at this stage”, the bench observed.
In view of the above, the said application stands disposed of”, the three bench judges observed while dismissing the interim application No. 59851/2021.
Nabam Tagam had filed interim application praying the Supreme may direct the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the allegation of corruption as labelled in his writ petition (Criminal)-165/2021. The application WP(Cr) 165/2021 is pending in the apex court.
“The Supreme Court has not entertained the interim application filed by AJF Nabam Tagam praying the apex court for interim order to issue directing CBI to conduct preliminary enquiry on corruption charges against Chief Minister Pema Khandu,” said Additional Advocate General, Anil Shrivastav who was representing the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Citing the copy of the affidavit Pema Khandu has submitted to the Election commission of India, Nabam Tagam in WP(Cr) -165/2021 has charged that Khandu had earned a huge amount and properties by corrupt means and these should be probed by the CBI.
On 19th April, 2021, this writ petition was listed before the Supreme Court for admittance hearing. The apex court outrightly rejected the petition asking it to be filed in the High Court of respective jurisdiction. The petitioner then prayed before the Court that an SLP on similar allegations bearing no. SLP(C) No. 31233/2010 (Rahul Agarwal Vs State of AP) is pending in the Supreme Court.
The apex court however allowed the petition to be tagged with SLP(c) 31233/2010 that is still pending before the Apex court.
