The Delhi High Court has restrained the Lokpal of India from taking further steps in an investigation related to two properties allegedly linked to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) president Shibu Soren. The court’s decision came in response to a plea filed by the JMM, which challenged the Lokpal’s March 4 order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the properties.
The JMM argued that the Lokpal’s order was beyond its jurisdiction as the inquiry could only be against an individual, not a political party. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the JMM, said that the CBI had concluded in its report that the two properties in question belonged to the JMM, not to Soren. Therefore, he argued, the Lokpal’s order to investigate was beyond its authority.
The Lokpal’s direction to investigate the properties came after a complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who alleged that Soren owned 57 properties in various locations in Jharkhand. The Lokpal had asked the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry, which identified 82 properties allegedly linked to Soren and his family. However, the Lokpal limited its investigation to two properties, as the other 80 were acquired more than seven years prior to the complaint and were thus outside the limitation period.
The JMM, in its plea before the Delhi High Court, argued that it was not given any notice or opportunity to be heard before the Lokpal passed its order. The court has issued a notice to Dubey and has listed the matter for further hearing on May 10. The CBI has been allowed to submit its progress report to the Lokpal in a sealed cover, but the Lokpal has been directed to take no further action until the next hearing.
