Court pulls up CBI for 'half-baked' investigation

A Delhi court has rapped the CBI for its "half-baked" investigation in a disproportionate assets case in which it filed a closure report, observing that the probe was not conducted in all fairness and it was apparently done to benefit the accused.
Special CBI judge Gurvinder Pal Singh directed the agency to conduct further probe into the matter in which a case was earlier registered against Ram Bharosay Sharma, then a junior engineer in Delhi Jal Board, for allegedly amassing assets which were disproportionate to his known source of income.
The agency had later on filed a closure report in the case saying that evidence collected by it during the probe did not establish that Sharma had acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income as alleged in the FIR.

While ordering further probe in the case, the court said, "Afore elicited facts/discussions (in the order) make it ample clear that complete investigation in all fairness has not yet been done and instead half-baked investigation has been done and concluded in the presented closure report, apparently to benefit the accused."
"To reach at the root of the matter, in the quest of truth, finding it expedient in the interest of justice, CBI is directed to conduct further investigation in this matter in terms of law laid and procedure established, in a scientific manner, keeping in mind the observations herein above said," the judge said and posted the matter for further proceeding on January 9, 2015.

The case was lodged under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

CBI had alleged that Sharma abused his official position and amassed assets in his own name and in the name of his kin which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.
It filed a closure report later on saying the allegations could not be substantiated during the subsequent probe.
The court, however, said prima facie there was "fallacy" in the conclusion of the agency and appropriate investigation was not carried out by CBI.
Regarding CBI's contentions about jewellery found in the bank locker of accused, the court said, "...Version of accused that these articles were acquired before November 2, 1987 was believed as gospel truth, without any appropriate inquiry and investigation in this regard including scientific investigation."

It also said copy of its order be delivered in the offices of CBI's DIG and SP concerned for information and necessary action at their end.