The state government has refused to divulge findings of an investigation against cabinet minister Sunil Tatkare who has been accused of money laundering and land grab. The government on Friday told the Bombay High Court that it could not give copies of reports to the petitioner, Kirit Somaiya, as they are “confidential”.
Somaiya has filed a public interest litigation, seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team into the alleged money laundering and land grabbing by various companies floated by Tatkare and his family members. The state told the court that the reports were equivalent to a police diary, details of which cannot be shared. A police diary is a confidential document which lists minute details of any case.
Advocate general Darius Khambata told the court that he had instructions [from the government] that the confidential reports could not be given out.
Somaiya’s counsel Rajiv Kumar told the court that they needed to verify whether evidence given to investigation agencies had been suppressed. “The person against whom the investigation is being carried out is in power and is controlling the investigating agencies. Thus, we need to get the reports,” Kumar argued.
The probe has been carried by three agencies — Anti-Corruption Bureau, Economic Offences Wing and the collector of Raigad district. The court then directed Somaiya to submit an application to the court within five weeks, seeking these reports. The state government will have to place on record the reasons for refusing to part with the reports. It will then be the court’s prerogative to decide on the matter. probe has been carried by three agencies — Anti-Corruption Bureau, Economic Offences Wing and the collector of Raigad district. The court then directed Somaiya to submit an application to the court within five weeks, seeking these reports.
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