SC found that a petition without clear element of public interest could not be entertained at the instance of a political rival merely on account of an alleged procedural irregularity in the decision-making
The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and his son Abhishek of corruption charges in connection with the decade-old purchase of AgustaWestland helicopters.
A bench of Justices AK Goel and UU Lalit dismissed a batch of petitions filed by NGO Swaraj Abiyan, leader of opposition in the Chhattisgarh Assembly, TS Singh Deo, and social activist Rakesh Kumar Choubey, who sought an independent probe in the purchase of the helicopters in 2007, suggesting that Singh and his son had links with intermediary companies and were recipients of kickbacks from the deal.
The apex court found that a petition without clear element of public interest could not be entertained at the instance of a political rival merely on account of an alleged procedural irregularity in the decision-making, which could be challenged at appropriate forum.
The bench clarified that the state government was entitled to make a choice to purchase the helicopter in question. “There is nothing on record to show that the helicopter could have been procured for lesser price. No person claiming to give a better deal has come forward. Thus, in absence of clear evidence that loss was caused to public exchequer by way of commission payment to Sharp Ocean Investments Limited which was only a route to send the payment to the son of the Chief Minister, interference by this Court is not called for,” the 18-paged judgement read.
The top court also found no material to suggest that Abhishek was beneficiary of an illicit transaction. “We do not consider it necessary to go into the allegation of mere procedural irregularities. We broadly find that no case is made out for interference by this Court for issuing a direction as sought in absence of allegation of extraneous consideration being substantiated.”
The petitioners had suggested that the Raman Singh-led government had paid excess money for purchase between 2006 and 2008. The excess money, they alleged, was later transferred to Abhishek’s bank accounts in UK.
‘NOTHING ON RECORD’
SC found that a petition without clear element of public interest could not be entertained at the instance of a political rival merely on account of an alleged procedural irregularity in the decision-making
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