M A I N   N E W S

CBI probe into charges against ADGP
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 19
Allowing a writ petition filed by 19-year-old Mamta Sharma alleging that her modesty was outraged by Punjab’s Additional Director-General of Police B.P. Tiwari, Mr Justice V.M. Jain of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to nominate an officer not below the DIG’s rank to inquire into the allegations and register a first information report only if “circumstances so warranted”.

Pronouncing the orders Mr Justice Jain clarified that as of now, a case was not made out for ordering the registration of FIR when even the petitioner had not made any such prayer.

In his detailed order, Mr Justice Jain directed that the officer looking into the allegations should be an IPS not from the Punjab cadre. He added that the officer shall join both the sides in the inquiry and complete the same within three months after a copy of the order was received by the CBI Director.

Mr Justice Jain concluded that depending upon the result of the inquiry “necessary action” shall be taken by the CBI, including the registration of an FIR, if circumstances so warranted”.

The Judge observed: “In the present case, the petitioner has levelled serious allegations against ADGP B.P. Tiwari. During the course of arguments, it was submitted before me by the state counsel that the Punjab Government was ready to hold a fact-finding inquiry by appointing a senior IPS officer.

“However, in my opinion, asking a senior IPS officer to hold an inquiry into the allegations made by the petitioner against Tiwari would not meet the ends of justice”.

In her petition, Mamta had earlier alleged that Mr Tiwari tried to outrage her modesty by staying home on December 13 last year. She claimed that Mr Tiwari had even asked her if she had ever seen a blue movie after calling her to the drawing room.

Court stays CAT order on CBI chief

Bangalore, February 19
The Karnataka High Court today stayed the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order quashing the appointment of Mr R .K. Raghavan as Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Dictating the order in the jam-packed court hall, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P .Venkataramana Reddi and Mr Justice K.L. Manjunath posted the case for final hearing on June 4.

The Union Government had challenged the CAT order dated February 8 setting aside the appointment of Mr Raghavan as the Director of the premier investigation agency.

Karnataka Director-General of Police C. Dinakar had questioned the appointment of Mr Raghavan on December 31, 1998, overlooking his seniority. UNI