CBI files closure report in horsetrading case against Jogi

CBI sources said today that the agency had taken the step after obtaining opinion of the Attorney General and had filed the closure report some time back.

The sources, however, did not give details of the report or when it was filed.

In 2008, the CBI had in a note conveyed to the law ministry that that there is no provision either under the Indian Penal Code or Prevention of Corruption Act under which the Congress MP could be prosecuted, Law Ministry sources said.

On December nine, 2003, the CBI registered a case under Prevention of Corruption Act against Jogi, his son Amit and defected BJP MP PR Khunte for allegedly trying to bribe BJP MLAs after the assembly elections in the state.

Jogi is alleged to have bribed BJP leaders to prevent the saffron party from forming the government in the state after the assembly polls.

However, after scrutinising the statements of Jogi and the available provisions under the law, the CBI came to the conclusion that no case can be registered against him in the scam as he was a "caretaker" Chief Minister at the time of the alleged crime and he, therefore, could not come under the category of public servant, the sources said.