New Delhi, August 26
The Delhi High Court today sought response from the CBI on a petition filed by NCSC chairman Buta Singh whereby he had accused the probe agency of illegally summoning him for interrogation in an alleged bribery case involving his son.
Singh, a former Bihar Governor and chairman of National Commission for Schedule Caste (NCSC), contended that he holds a post of Cabinet rank and the CBI cannot question or interrogate him without taking sanction from the Centre.
“I have been issued three summons to appear before the agency on August 19, 24 and 31 without taking mandatory sanction from the Centre. I hold a cabinet-rank post and the agency cannot summon me without taking permission from the government," senior advocate KTS Tulsi, appearing for Singh, said.
Justice Geeta Mittal, after hearing his contention, issued notice to CBI and directed it to file its response by Monday, the date on which Singh has been asked to appear before the agency.
Advocate Harish Gulati, appearing for CBI, accepted the notice and said he would take instructions from the agency on whether sanction was taken or not before summoning Singh. Singh had yesterday approached the Delhi High Court challenging CBI's notice to appear before it as a witness in connection with a case of alleged bribery against his son Sarobjit Singh.
“Issuing notice by CBI is violative of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, which says that government sanction is required to interrogate a public servant above the rank of Deputy Secretary,” Singh said in his petition.
Buta Singh’s son was arrested on July 31 by CBI for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 1 crore from a Nashik-based contractor to close an atrocity case against him pending before the Scheduled Caste Commission headed by his father.
— PTI
