The CBI has indicated to the Supreme Court that it may register a criminal case against former Uttar Pradesh CM Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family members for possessing assets beyond their known sources of income.

In its application submitted before the apex court on Friday, the CBI said it had concluded its preliminary investigation into the allegations against Yadav and his family members, and has sought the court’s permission to apprise it of its findings into the probe for further directions on the matter. “It is submitted that the CBI has concluded its (preliminary) inquiry and is willing to place the status report before this court for perusal, if necessary,” the application said.

Such a stand by the CBI is contrary to the court’s earlier order directing it to apprise the Centre of its findings into the probe after concluding the same, and seek its direction on next course of action. The CBI said the laws governing functioning of the CBI do not mandate it to seek advice or directions of the Central or the state on its next course of action.