SC asks CBI to probe into UP legislator's alleged illegal acts

Turkey on Monday sought shutting down of institutions in Mumbai linked to the Fethullah terror network, which it had claimed was behind last month's attempted coup in that country.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today directed the CBI to probe into alleged illegal activities of an Uttar Pradesh legislator, who is also accused in other criminal cases, saying the investigation by other central agencies prima facie suggests that shell companies associated with him were purportedly indulging in money laundering.

The apex court order asking CBI to submit the status report within three months came after it examined the reports of the Special Fraud Investigation Organisation (SFIO), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) which has carried out probe on a complaint against BSP Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Mohammad Iqbal.

"The new reports by SFIO, ED, CBDT suggest that several companies which are prima facie shell companies or fake companies are indulging in money laundering and needs investigation and CBI needs to examine the serious issues and take into consideration these developments," a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said.

The bench, also comprising justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, also issued notice to the CBI asking the agency to examine the reports of other central agencies for filing its status report.

At the outset, Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh submitted that pursuant to April 25 order, further action has been taken and the agencies have filed the status reports but there was a need for more time to examine the cases as people are non-cooperative and are not forthcoming.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by another UP leader Ranvir Singh, who has accused Iqbal of indulging in money laundering.

His counsel Harin Raval alleged that CBI has not taken any action on the complaint.

However, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the BSP MLC, said that there was biasness in the probe and the person coming to the 
Supreme Court himself has three criminal cases against him.

The apex court on the last hearing had also perused the SFIO report about the probe carried out in various companies associated with Iqbal.