Date:10/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/10/stories/2008091055891500.htm

National

CBI gets the go-ahead for examining judges

J. Venkatesan

CJI gives permission in the ‘cash-for-judge scam’ probe

Justices Nirmaljit Kaur, Nirmal Yadav of Punjab & Haryana High Court allegedly involved
Case re-registered against former Additional Advocate-General of Haryana Sanjeev Bansal

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan has granted the Central Bureau of Investigation permission to examine Justices Nirmaljit Kaur and Nirmal Yadav of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, allegedly involved in the ‘cash-for-judge scam’.

The scam came to light on August 13 when Rs. 15 lakh was mistakenly delivered at Justice Nirmaljit Kaur’s residence. Justice Kaur lodged a police complaint.

The following day, another Rs. 15 lakh was delivered at Justice Nirmal Yadav’s house.

A case was registered to probe the scam, allegedly involving some lawyers and the two judges. After the Chandigarh Administration approached the Centre for a CBI probe, citing inter-State ramifications, the matter was entrusted to the agency. It re-registered the case under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act against the former Additional Advocate-General of Haryana, Sanjeev Bansal, and others on August 16.

The case was registered under Section 8 (taking gratification to influence public servants) and Section 9 (taking gratification to exercise personnel influence) of the PC Act and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. The others named in the FIR are Prakash, an assistant of Mr. Bansal, and a Delhi-based hotelier.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of India set up a three-judge committee to conduct an internal investigation. Even as this inquiry is still on, the CBI approached him, seeking permission to examine those involved in the scam, including the two judges so that it could proceed further in the case. And the Chief Justice of India granted leave.