Investigation against UP MLC: SC also favours probe agst rival

The Supreme Court today favoured independent investigation to unravel the truth into the allegations and counter-allegations levelled by an agriculturist and BSP MLC from Uttar Pradesh against each other saying that the "turf war" has reached the court.
"This is a turf war it appears and nothing more," a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said, adding, "You have come against each other and that needs to be investigated."
"The fragrance coming in it (petition) is enough for us as to what it is all about," the bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri and R Banumathi, said while involving Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate into the probe.

The remarks were made while dealing with the petition filed by one Ranvir Singh accusing BSP's Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Mohammad Iqbal of indulging in money laundering and other criminal activities.
Senior advocate and Additional Solicitior General in previous UPA regime Haren Raval, appearing for Ranveer Singh, alleged the MLC was not only involved in money laundering activities but his criminal activities has inter-state implications.
However, his submission was opposed by Iqbal's senior counsel S P Singh, who said there was not a single criminal case registered against him and the matter before the apex court was due to political vendetta.

"It is the issue of all types of activities," the bench said after Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, who was asked on December 4 to apprise about the current status of alleged probe against the MLA made submissions.

"Prima facie, I found he (Iqbal) is involved in 111 companies," Singh said, alleging that "there is some nexus with the alleged activities of Babu Singh Khushwaha (former U P Minister) accused in NRHM (National Rural Health Mission) scam."
Iqbal's advocate said no company was in the name of the
BSP MLC and may be his relatives were involved in them.
Raval alleged that Iqbal was also involved in illegal mining activities.

"How many criminal cases are against Ranvir Singh," the bench asked and issued notices to conncerned parties while posting the matter for hearing in February next.
Taking on record the submissions of all the parties, the bench directed the ASG to inform the court as to how the modalities proposed by him will be adopted by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department to examine the allegations to get to the truth.
The court also asked both the parties to file their affidavits detailing criminal cases against them and number of cases of illgeal mining and order passed for paying the penalties.

Ranvir Singh alleged that the MLC is a frequent flyer to offshore destinations in private jets and has amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income, and sought a court-monitored probe against Iqbal.
He further alleged that ED, which had issued a notice to Iqbal on the charge of money laundering, later "surreptitiously" withdrew it.