95% Probe in Multi Crore Cricket Scam Over: CBI

Srinagar:—Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday informed J&K High Court that it has completed 95% of investigation into multi-crore scam in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. It however said State government has withdrawn all facilities provided to it for smooth conduct of the probe.

“Only 5 percent of the investigation was yet to be carried out,” counsel representing the India’s premier investigation agency submitted before Chief Justice Baddar Durrez Ahmad and Justice M K Hanjura during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation.

To this, the court told investigating officer of CBI, who was flanking the counsel, that he cannot adopt the attitude which he has adopted so far as ample time has been granted to the agency for carrying out the investigation to its logical end.

The CBI counsel also complained before the court that all the infrastructural facilities including accommodation for the agency’s team, vehicle, security, etc, which was provided by the local police, has been withdrawn from the office of SP headquarters.

“Even the desktop computer provided to the CBI team has been removed from the CBI camp without taking its officials into confidence,” he said.

To this, the court said that asked Additional Advocate General Bashir Ahamd Dar as to how state authorities can do this and asked him to verify and inform the court about it.

On previous hearing, the High Court had directed The CBI to submit status of probe following an application filed by the CBI, seeking further six months time for completing the probe.

Counsel representing BCCI as well as state counsel had opposed the plea with riders.

BCCI counsel submitted that while he has no objection for extension of time, it should be last and final opportunity as the judgment in the matter has been passed in September 2015 and since then three extension applications have been filed by the CBI for extension of time for carrying the investigation.

He submitted that till the investigation was concluded, the amount which has been embezzled may be recovered. However, the court observed that since the investigation was yet to be completed, the recovery may also be done at proper time.

Counsel for the state had also opposed the application of CBI, and without referring the name of anyone, submitted that big-wigs are involved in the matter as such state wants the investigation be completed as early as possible. “If CBI needs any cooperation from us, we are ready to extend the same,” the state counsel had said.

The high court on 9 March last year had handed over the probe to CBI, observing that police investigation lacked both speed and credibility and that lack of will to dig out the scamsters was writ large on the face of its performance.

“Having regard for the quantum and magnitude of the scam involving huge loss of public money and failure of (police) to conduct the investigation with speed, fairness and objectivity and given the inordinate delay in concluding the investigation coupled with lack of credibility the (police) and also taking into consideration the serious allegations made against the, beneficiaries involved including the influential and mighty, we are of the considered opinion that it is a fit case where the investigation must be handed over to CBI for purposes of a fair and result oriented investigation,” the high court had said and order the court’s registry judicial to send a copy of the judgment to the Director CBI for taking the investigation. It directed the CBI to bring ingestion to a logical conclusion, as expeditiously as possible, “preferably within six months.”

Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now

MONTHLY	Rs 100
YEARLY	Rs 1000
LIFETIME	Rs 10000

CLICK FOR DETAILS