Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday granted Central Bureau of Investigation six weeks to complete investigation into multi-crore scam in Jammu and Kashmir cricket Association.
As the hearing a Public Interest Litigation started in the backdrop of CBI allegations that local police took away every logistic support including a computer from it, the court was informed that Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir has nominated Sub-Inspector Naseer Ahmad as liaison/nodal officer to facilitate expeditious investigation.
Tahir Majid Shamsi, Assistant Solicitor General of India, also representing CBI, submitted that 95% of investigation was complete in the case.
Flanked by CBI investigating officer, he sought three months time from a division bench of Justices Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and M K Hanjura for completion of the probe.
Counsel BCCI opposed it but at the same time submitted that the amount allegedly embezzled shall be recovered first so that the same can be utilized for development of the sports activities in the state.
Keeping in view the submissions made by the ASGI as well as IO that 95% of investigation has been completed, we are inclined to grant only six weeks time at the first instance to ensure that the investigating agency shall complete the investigation, the court said, and directed CBIto file file latest status of the investigation by or before next date in the PIL on October 13.
If, on perusal of the investigation records, need arises for further extension of time, same will be considered. We also direct the investigating agency that if during the investigation it comes to the conclusion that the alleged embezzlement has taken place, file a report to indicate what steps have been initiated for recovery/seizure thereof.
The court also directed the state that to provide all logistic support to the investigating agency during the course of week including vehicles.
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 courts 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.
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