SC dismisses probe on Sahara, Birla diaries

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by an NGO seeking a probe into the IT raids on Sahara and Birla in which certain politicians name came up.

Dismissing the plea, the apex court said that there was no conclusive evidence in the matter.

A bench of the apex court headed by Justice Arun Mishra and also comprising Justice Amitava Roy passed the order after a detailed hearing from the petitioner-NGO 'Common Cause' and Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi.

Attorney General Rohatgi, top law officer representing the Central Government, earlier in the day told the apex court division bench that there was no credible document or evidence which prove that former Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi was paid by the corporate houses.

"Nobody in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence. Anyone can put name of anybody on such papers," he added.

The apex court said that it was not doubting the integrity of the settlement commission order, but examining the integrity of such diaries.

Senior apex court lawyer Prashant Bhushan appearing for the petitioner NGO told the apex court that there was sufficient evidence to prove that public officials were allegedly paid and probe must be ordered to find out the truth.