New Delhi, March 14
Not satisfied with the CBI move to close the Rs 175-crore Taj corridor case against former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, the Supreme Court today directed the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to determine whether its move was correct.

The development is being seen as a setback to Ms Mayawati, who is trying to build a bridge with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, as a Bench of Ms Justice Ruma Pal, Mr Justice S. B. Sinha and Mr Justice S. H. Kapadia said: “We had trusted the CBI enough to take appropriate action in the case.”

Since the CVC was not a party to the case before the apex court, it was issued notice by the Bench impleading it as a respondent.

The CBI, which had said it had planned to close the case after the opinion of Attorney-General Milon Banerjee, today placed before the court his opinion, entire material and evidence collected by the agency.

The direction came on an application moved by amicus curiea, advocate Krishan, who had been assisting the court in the adjudication of the matter, arising out of a PIL petition.

Questioning the CBI move to close the case, Mr Mahajan asked how could the agency take a unilateral decision in this regard when the FIR was registered on the direction of the apex court.

Solicitor-General G. E. Vahanvati, appearing for the CBI, told the court that the Attorney- General’s opinion was sought after about a dozen officers of the agency had given conflicting opinions on whether to launch the prosecution against the former Chief Minister.

The CBI decided to close the case against Ms Mayawati, claiming that no evidence had been found against her.