CBI files closure report in case against Maneka Gandhi

The CBI has filed a closure report in a case against union minister Maneka Gandhi and two others for allegedly diverting funds from Maulana Azad Educational Foundation (MAEF), saying "allegations against accused not substantiated".

The closure report was filed before a special CBI court, which on August 10 fixed the matter for September 30 for consideration of the report, court sources said.

This was the second time the probe agency filed the closure report. The first closure report was rejected by the court, directing the CBI to conduct further probe.

The CBI said the allegations levelled against Maneka and two others -- former MAEF secretary F.U. Siddiqui, and former Managing Trustee of Gandhi Rural Welfare Trust (GRWT) Vijay Sharma, could not be substantiated.

A first information report (F.I.R) was lodged by the CBI in 2006 alleging that Maneka, in conspiracy with Siddiqui, had sanctioned a grant of Rs.50 lakh to GRWT from MAEF in an irregular manner for construction of a nursing college building at Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and had unduly favoured Sharma.

The accused were booked under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with section 420 (cheating) of the IPC and under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.