delhi-high-court-puts-stay-on-lokpal-action-against-shibu-soren-till-may-10

The Delhi High Court has asked the Lokpal not to take any further action till May 10 on the investigation into two properties allegedly linked to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president Shibu Soren.

 

However, the court has allowed the CBI to submit its report in a sealed envelope to the Lokpal. Delhi High Court Justice Subramaniam Prasad issued notice on JMM's petition to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who had filed the complaint before the Lokpal.

 

JMM's petition has challenged Lokpal's March 4 order, in which CBI was instructed to investigate the two properties owned by JMM president Shibu Soren and his family. The High Court has fixed May 10 for further hearing in this case.

 

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Arunabh Choudhary, appearing for JMM, said that both the properties belong to the political party and not to Soren. The lawyers argued that the March 4 order was beyond the jurisdiction of the Lokpal of India under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act.

 

They said that under the law, investigation can be initiated only against an individual and not against any political party and since the CBI has already concluded that the properties belong to JMM in its previous report, the Lokpal's order goes beyond the scope of the Act.

 

JMM's petition states that the Lokpal order is prima facie bad in law and beyond its jurisdiction. The petition claimed that this order was passed behind JMM's back.

 

No notice was issued to JMM before passing the order and it was not given an opportunity of being heard.