PTI, NEW DELHI: The CBI Thursday withdrew from a Delhi court its application that had sought permission to further probe the politically sensitive Rs 64-crore Bofors payoff case.
The agency told Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Navin Kumar Kashyap that it wanted to withdraw the application filed on February 1, 2018 which was allowed by the court.
The CBI had moved the trial court seeking permission for further probe in the matter saying it had come across fresh material and evidence.
The agency on Thursday submitted before the court that decision on further course of action would be taken by it and wanted to withdraw the application for now.
Taking note of CBI’s stand, the judge said: “For the reason best known to the CBI, in case they want to withdraw the application, they have the right as they are the applicants.”
The court also took note of the virtual u-turn of advocate Ajay Agarwal, who had filed a separate application before the trial court seeking further probe in the matter but wanted to withdraw his plea now.
“Why should we not impose a cost on you? You have wasted time of the court with your application. I am imposing cost (Rs 100) so that persons like you do not come and waste time. CBI is the probe agency and it has a right. What is your locus (standi),” the judge asked.
Agarwal, who had fought Lok Sabha election from Rai Bareli against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in 2014, submitted that the cost should not be imposed on him and he be allowed to argue that he has got a locus in this case. The court then posted the matter for arguments on July 6.
The apex court had on October 18, 2005 admitted Agarwal’s petition which was filed after the CBI failed to approach the top court with the appeal within the 90-day deadline following the May 31, 2005 Delhi High Court judgement quashing charges against the Europe-based industrialists, the Hinduja brothers.
The court on December 4, 2018 had questioned as to why the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) required its permission to further probe the matter.
The CBI had also filed an appeal in the Supreme Court in February 2, 2018 against the May 31, 2005 verdict of the Delhi high Court discharging all the accused in the case.
