Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 31: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was not referred even a single case by the State Government in last two years while the agency disposed off a total 22 cases during this year.
Superintendent of Police, CBI Jammu, Armaan Deep Singh who is also in-charge Kashmir bureau of the agency, during interaction with the media persons as a part of Vigilance Awareness Week disclosed here that a total ten cases were registered by the CBI in the State this year and almost all the cases stood investigated. Mr Singh claimed that pendency of the cases with CBI in State was nil as all the cases stood investigated.
Mr Singh disclosed that a total 22 cases investigated by CBI were disposed off this year. Against only one trap case registered last year, six trap cases were executed by the CBI officials this year in the State. He said majority of these cases pertained to rural areas including Rajouri, Poonch and R S Pura etc.
Responding to a question, the senior CBI officer said in last two years not even a single case was referred to the CBI by State authorities. He said some times with the intervention of higher courts, the cases are referred to the agency but this has not happened for the last few years as nobody might have approached the court. “No doubt, we have insufficient staff with us, but at the same time, we would be happy to take any case for investigation if asked to do”, Mr Singh maintained.
Replying to yet another question on failure of infamous Kashmir Sex Scandal case in special CBI court at Chandigarh involving a top bureaucrat and politicians, the CBI officer said unfortunately witnesses turned hostile as they `apparently’ were influenced. It was something strange to observe that witnesses who had recorded their statements in a Lower Court at Srinagar, gave contradictory statement in the Chandigarh Court. When asked why witnesses were not provided protection and allowed to be influenced, the CBI officer said, “In our country there is no policy as such like some western countries, to provide protection to the witnesses”.
On being asked about the status of infamous Defence Land scam in Srinagar involving senior officers and Milk supply scandal of Army in Northern Command, the CBI officer said he will not be able to share details of Defence land scam as the case was being investigated by the Delhi unit of the agency. On milk supply scam in Army, he said the investigation has almost been completed and the case will be filed in the court of law shortly. He however, refused to share more details and identify the senior Army officers involved.
Replying to yet another question on former Minister G M Saroori’s case, the SP said ex-minister’s involvement was not proved anywhere in the case. So, no charges could be framed against him. The challan has been produced in the court of law against the other accused connected with the case, he added.
The SP further asked the media to spread message of awareness among the people about the functioning of CBI in J&K and join struggle against menace of corruption. He said anybody is free to approach CBI office at Rail Head Complex Jammu and M A Road (Near Broadway) at Srinagar, in case of any genuine complaint against any Central Government official or the Central PSUs staff including nationalized banks. He said as a part of Awareness Vigilance Week, being observed from October 29 to November 3, several awareness programmes are being organized in the State.
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