Rediff On The NeT: Court asks CBI to probe if Kesri's household expenses are only Rs 1,450

Court asks CBI to probe if Kesri's household expenses are only Rs 1,450

The Delhi high court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to inquire into Congress president Sitaram Kesri's monthly household expenses.

Kesri, who is alleged to have amassed wealth disproportionate to his known source of income, has claimed that his monthly household expenditure is only Rs 1,450.

Issuing the directive, a division bench comprising Justice Jaspal Singh and Justice Manmohan Sarin asked the CBI to ascertain whether Kesri's claim was reasonable.

The bench ordered the investigating agency to probe each and every point related to his household expenses, including the expenditure incurred on servants and pets.

The court was hearing Patna-based freelance journalist Madhuresh Kumar's public interest review petition, alleging that Kesri amassed wealth disproportionate to his known source of income and had indulged in giving and receiving illegal gratification during his elections to the Rajya Sabha in 1988 and 1992.

Reacting to Kesri's counsel K L Sanghi's contention that the adverse media coverage against the Congress president was affecting him personally and will have other ''repercussions', the court said, ''We are always aware of the fact that your interest should be protected. But not at the cost of law or rule of land."

''We are only asking the CBI to have a proper investigation. It is for the CBI to investigate as to who pays for the servants and the pets,'' the judges observed.

Ordering the CBI to complete the investigation into the matter as early as possible, the bench observed, ''He (Kesri) feels haunted by the prolongation of the case and we should not give him any reason to feel this way. The CBI should try to complete the investigation at the earliest.''

''You (the CBI) take time. Do it thoroughly. But complete it,'' the judges ordered. Appreciating the CBI's role in the case, the court said the agency has done quite a reasonable job so far.

When Additional Solicitor General Altaf Hussain said the agency has already acquired property evaluation guidelines, the court asked him to provide judgments on various house tax assessments.

The judges also wanted to know why the agency had dealt with only one income tax return filed by Kesri. ''What about the other years?'' the bench asked.

Prashant Bhushan, the petitioner's counsel, contended that the CBI should inquire into the Enforcement Directorate's report on Kesri's bank accounts abroad. The court said, ''We are conscious of everything. We have not closed the proceedings and will inquire into whatever is necessary at a relevant stage.''

UNI

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