HC reserves order on maintainability of PIL against Vadra firms

The bench said, 'First satisfy us on the the issue of jurisdiction of this court'

The Delhi High Court today reserved its order on maintainability of a PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into various land deals allegedly entered into by Robert Vadra firms.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw, which had so far not issued a notice on the PIL, reserved its order after hearing brief arguments of advocate M L Sharma, who had filed the plea in his personal capacity.

"First satisfy us on the the issue of jurisdiction of this court," the bench said.

The cause of action partially had arisen in Delhi as various offices and constitutional bodies such as Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and Ministry of Urban development are located here, the lawyer said.

"I have already given a representation to the CBI. But it neither registered an FIR nor lodged even a preliminary enquiry in the case which relates to huge loss caused to the exchequer during 2005 to 2012," he said.

He also submitted a copy of a recent Supreme Court judgement which directs police authorities to register an FIR "mandatorily" if the allegations disclose the commission of a cognizable offences.

The plea had also sought a probe into grant of licenses to change land use of agricultural plots purchased by Vadra companies in Gurgaon.