Followed SC order on Maya, filed status report regularly, says CBI

After receiving a rap from the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case against Mayawati, CBI officials said today that they "were following Supreme Court's order" and "regularly apprised the apex court of the developments by filing the status report from time to time". However, the delay of more than three years by CBI in finalising the investigations helped the former chief minister in getting a favourable judgment, they said.

The probe against Mayawati was initiated in 2003 and completed in 2005.

During this period, Mayawati was allowed to make representations to the Income Tax, ITAT and Settlement Commission from whom she got respite.

"Our case concerned the investigations regarding the assets earned through illegitimate means. The cases against her or her family members were never diluted. The delay in finalising the investigation was because Mayawati always came up with some explanation regarding these assets," explained a CBI official.

Mayawati also filed a writ petition on May 8, 2008 praying for quashing of the FIR in the DA case. CBI had then claimed that the investigations "resulting in disclosure of possession of substantial disproportionate assets by Mayawati and her family member was completed but a conscious view was taken not to proceed till the disposal of the writ petition".

"The agency also examined the representation made by Mayawati based on the relief given by I-T authorities but found incriminating evidence to establish a DA case," said a top CBI official.

The CBI also cited a Supreme Court order dated October 25, 2004 in which the agency, while delinking the Taj Corridor case from the DA case, was asked to proceed with the investigations.

Quoting the order, a CBI official said, "...CBI is therefore at liberty to proceed with and take action on the basis of their investigation in respect of this FIR (RC—19/2003). In the event of any link disclosed in the course of such investigation between facts as found and the Taj Corridor project, the CBI will bring the same to the notice of the court..."

... contd.

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