SC dismiss PIL seeking CBI probe into NBA activities

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a PIL filed by a Gujarat based NGO seeking CBI probe into the alleged illegal activities and receiving of foreign funds by Medha Patkar-led Narmada Bachao Andolan and its support group.

A Bench comprising Justice CK Thakker and Justice Altamas Kabir said that no case was made out for CBI probe.

The Bench said the allegations in the PIL are vague and without proper foundation. The court also imposed a cost of Rs 5,000 on the petitioner, National Council of Civil Liberties (NCCL).

The NBA had strongly opposed the PIL filed by NCCL and had even questioned its maintainability contending that it was filed to settle personal score.

Though Patkar and CBI were named as parties in the PIL, they were not issued notices.

The NCCL has sought probe into the activities of the NBA alleging that the outfit was acting at the behest of foreign powers and creating political instability in India on the strength of funds received from abroad.

The NBA alleged that NCCL was suppressing some crucial facts and a personal battle was being fought by 'misusing the judiciary' by filing a PIL.