SC declines early hearing in UP Food grains scam

The Supreme Court on Monday declined an early hearing to the plea seeking CBI inquiry into the alleged diversion of food grains meant for BPL families in Uttar Pradesh to Bangladesh and Nepal during 2001-2004. However, a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan allowed advocate Vishwanath Chaturvedi, who has filed the petition in this regard, to file additional documents relating to the case. The petition filed in April last year had alleged that food grains supplied by the Centre under Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojna (SGRY) were illegally diverted to neighbouring countries from Uttar Pradesh. In a fresh application along with additional documents, the lawyer alleged that the CBI declined the investigation on extraneous grounds. He contended that CBI by taking a decision not to probe the scam allegedly involving crore of rupees has defeated the purpose of the creation of the investigating agency. Earlier in the petition, he had claimed that 30 district magistrates had written to the state government intimating the misappropriation in their respective areas but no action was taken. The state's Principal Secretary (Food and Civil Supplies) wrote to Railways authorities in the areas concerned that indents for large number of railway rakes were placed by various private parties for the movement of wheat and rice to Bangladesh, Chaturvedi alleged. He claimed that the principal secretary felt "there was a possibility that the food grains were being diverted by vested interests through railway rakes to Bangladesh". Special Secretary Hari Shanker Pandey, who was appointed by the state to probe the matter, found that Rs 457 crore had been misappropriated in Gonda district, Chaturvedi claimed. Though the state at first decided to recommend to the Centre for a CBI inquiry, it later withdrew the decision, the petition said. Chaturvedi had approached the Allahabad High Court seeking direction to the Centre to conduct a fair inquiry. However, the court refused to pass any order but expressed its view that CBI should take necessary steps in the matter.

"Loved reading this piece by Prakash Yedhula?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group