Lucknow Oct 24: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court today reserved its verdict on the writ petitions filed by former Uttar Pradesh Environment Minister Mohammed Naseemuddin Siddiqui and others challenging the validity of the FIR lodged against them in the Taj corridor case. A division bench comprising Justice Khemkaran and Justice G K Gupta reserved its order on the writ petitions filed by Siddiqui, former Principal Secretary Environment, R K Sharma and chairman and managing director, NPCC, S K Bali after hearing their counsels' arguments.

The petitioners have prayed for quashing of the fir and stay on their arrest. The bench is likely to deliver its judgement on October 28 next.

Three other accused in the case, former Chief Minister Mayawati, the then Principal Secretary P L Punia and former Secretary Environment V K Gupta, had earlier challenged the validity of the FIR through separate writ petitions and the court had stayed their arrest till conclusion of investigations by CBI but had refused to quash the FIR.

Bureau Report