Vidarbha irrigation scam: Plea seeking CBI, ED to be made

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday rejected a plea seeking for the CBI, the ED and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to be impleaded as respondents in a matter pertaining to the multi- crore Vidarbha irrigation scam.

A division bench of Justices R V Ghughe and S M Modak was hearing the application filed by one Atul Jagtap seeking for probe into the scam, also involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, to be transferred from the state Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to the CBI or the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Jagtap sought for the agencies to be impleaded as respondents in his petition.

The bench, however, refused to do so saying that it could always direct the CBI to inquire into the case at a later stage if required.

The bench noted that the investigation in the alleged scam is in progress and charge sheets and FIRs have been lodged.

The bench has posted the matter for further hearing on March 13.