CBI told to file reply seeking action against its officer

A Delhi court today sought a response from CBI on a plea seeking contempt proceedings against its officer for threatening a man to withdraw a petition for operating his bank accounts.

Chief metropolitan magistrate Kaveri Baweja asked the CBI officer to file the reply on the application filed by Rajiv Khosla, counsel for Hari Shankar Sharma on August 13.

In the application filed before the court, Khosla alleged the CBI's investigating officer (IO) had threatened Sharma, who was facing a criminal case, to withdraw the application filed by him.

"The said act of IO is a direct interference in the administration of justice and as such the IO has made himself liable for initiation of contempt proceedings," Khosla said.

A case was registered against Sharma by CBI last year on a complaint by Punjab National Bank for failing to repay a loan taken by him.

Meanwhile, Debt Recovery Tribunal had passed an order on March 29 and Sharma paid Rs 2.71 crore and further Rs 34 lakh as interest as full and final settlement of loan in July, Khosla claimed.

The bank, accordingly, issued a letter in this regard on July 14 giving Sharma no objection to operate his bank accounts, he said.

But the CBI officer, Sharma's counsel alleged, called Sharma at his office and asked him to withdraw the application as otherwise his wife would also be implicated in a criminal case.