Govt trying to save Mulayam in DA case: Petitioner

Amid reports that CBI may give a clean chit to Mulayam Singh Yadav in disproportionate assets case, the petitioner in the case Vishwanath Chaturvedi today alleged that the government was trying to save the SP leader to get his support for Food Security Bill.

Vishwanath Chaturvedi, on whose plea the Supreme Court had ordered a CBI probe in March 2007, alleged that a Cabinet minister 'threatened' him last Friday, warning against appealing the closure report CBI may be filing.

However, he is determined to appeal any reprieve given to the SP chief by CBI.

'The minister called me to his residence and told me not to repeat what I did in 2008 when I had opposed move to close the case,' Chaturvedi said, but did not identify the person.

'CBI has already changed its stand thrice to suit political needs of the government... Congress has struck a deal with Mulayam for his party's support on Food Security Bill and the agency is working to the government's direction, Chaturvedi said.

SP has been opposing the Food Bill which is expected to come up during the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on August five.

Chaturvedi, who has been accused by Mulayam of being a 'Congress agent', said he will definitely appeal any relief given by CBI to Yadav.

CBI has said it has not taken any final decision on the inquiry into the disproportionate asset case against Mulayam.

Any decision to close the case however, Chaturvedi said, would be 'illegal' as CBI had not registered a Regular Case so far despite the court ordering it in 2009 for further probe.

'CBI had done a Preliminary Enquiry and said a case was made out against Mulayam and other family members as warranted... After SC's go ahead, it should have registered a Regular Case. How it can close the case without first lodging it?' he asked.