Joginder Goes On Leave, Plea Filed Against Transfer

Former CBI director Joginder Singh proceeded on long leave yesterday on his return from abroad while a contempt of court petition was filed in the Patna High Court on the ground that his shifting to the Union home ministry violated the directives of the court in the multi-crore fodder scam case.

On his return from Paris after attending an Interpol conference, Singh handed over charge to the new chief, R C Sharma, and announced that he was proceeding on a month-long leave. At least I can pay attention to my family. My daughter is also going to be married soon, he said. He declined to comment on his transfer and said it was the governments prerogative. He remarked that he would get the same salary (Rs 8,000) in his new post.

Sharma held a meeting with top officials and declared that the CBI will never leave the accused. We will prepare cases against them and submit them before the courts for action. He said he would fix a time-limit for the completion of investigation into major cases being handed by the agency.

In Patna, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi filed a contempt petition against Singhs transfer. The petitioners contended that the transfer was in violation of an earlier court order that no person connected with the investigation work relating to the fodder scam case shall be transferred without permission of the court.

They also referred to an order of the Supreme Court on November 5, which said the director of the CBI should continue to remain the person ultimately responsible for the proper conduct of investigation into the fodder scam cases. The petitioners contended that courts permission should have been sought before effecting the transfer.

Dissidents in the state Janata Dal unit expressed their unhappiness over the transfer and its timing, since they felt it would lead to the impression that it was done to help Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, who is embroiled in the fodder scam. Former minister Ramjivan Singh said: There might have been some plausible administrative reason for removing Singh, but the action may be misconstrued as part of an understanding between Prime Minister I K Gujral and Laloo Prasad Yadav to bring to an end the crisis in the Janata Dal. On the other hand, Janata Dal Rajya Sabha member a Laloo Yadav supporter Nagmani welcomed the transfer and expressed the hope that the investigating agency would regain its impartiality under the new chief. In a statement, he thanked Gujral for the decision.