Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 18: In the much publicized complaint regarding double drawal of petrol/ diesel by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and his personal staff, Special Judge Anticorruption, Jammu Puneet Gupta today directed the State Vigilance Organization (SVO) to take steps to conclude the enquiry and file fresh status report by the next date.
During the course of hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed appearing for the complainant submitted that Vigilance Organization was required to register an FIR as the complainant had placed sufficient documentary evidence to show double drawal of POL by Deputy Chief Minister and his staff.
“Moreover, this information has been obtained under RTI Act. Instead of filing an FIR the Vigilance has just initiated an enquiry into the matter”, he said, adding “manual of the Vigilance cannot supersede Code of Criminal Procedure as the complaint discloses a cognizable offence for which Vigilance was under statutory obligation under Section 154 CrPC to register FIR under Section 5(2) PC Act”.
In support of his arguments, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel referred a judgment of the Apex Court and also prayed that till the matter is verified / enquired, the entire proceedings be monitored by the Court as the allegations in the complaint are against the top functionaries of the Government and possibility of the pressure upon Vigilance Organization cannot be ruled out.
After hearing Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Zulkar Nain and Tariq Qazi for the complainant Prof SK Bhalla whereas CPO for the Vigilance Organization, Special Judge Anticorruption observed, “the CPO has filed the report in the Court today and is placed on the file. Advocate S S Ahmed appearing for the applicant has submitted that the CPO be directed to file fresh status report as the Vigilance Organization has not done sufficient till date on the complaint moved by social activist Prof S K Bhalla”.
“Without commenting upon the assertion made by counsel for the complainant, the State Vigilance Organization is directed to file fresh status report by the next date”, the Court said and directed that the necessary steps be initiated by the Vigilance Organization to conclude the enquiry. With these directions, the Court directed the Registry to put up the case on November 8, 2012.
According to the status report filed by Senior Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Organization, Jammu, it has been mentioned that the complaint regarding double drawal of POL was examined in the Vigilance Headquarters and subsequently it was ordered by the DIG Vigilance vide No. SVO-Garage-G-03/2012-13422 dated October 3, 2012 to conduct verification and enquire into the allegations of double drawal of fuel issued to various vehicles of different departments attached with Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand and his staff as the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act are apparently attracted.
“The order regarding conducting of verification was received by the SSP Vigilance Organization Jammu on October 8, 2012 and the verification in this regard was entrusted to Enquiry Officer DySP Jeetan Mattoo of Police Station Vigilance Organization Jammu vide No. SSP/Veri/2012/241/VOJ dated October 8, 2012”, the status report said.
With regard to the excessive deployment of vehicles with the Deputy Chief Minister and others, the matter has been referred to General Administration Department (GAD) for appropriate action as the same falls in the category of violation of Administrative Orders/ Circulars issued on the subject by the State Government from time to time, the status report said.
It has also been submitted that the verification with respect to the allegations regarding the double drawal of POL by the Deputy Chief Minister and others is in progress under the supervision of SSP Vigilance Organization Jammu.
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