S.M. BATRA Vs. CBI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BY this petition the Petitioner seeks setting aside of order dated 21st August, 2003 directing framing of charge against the Petitioner and other co -accused under Section 120B IPC read with Section 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the charge framed on 3rd September, 2003. Learned counsel for the Petitioner contends that even taking the allegations on their face value, there is no allegation that the Petitioner misused his official position as OSD to the then Governor of the Haryana. Section 9 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (in short "PC Act") is not attracted to the facts of the case. Further the allegations against the Petitioner are on the basis of the statement of O.P. Sahni, who is an accomplice, and the statement of this witness is primarily hearsay. There is no other independent evidence. Entire role has been attributed to Anup Shrivastava, who was close to the family of the then Minister of Urban Development Smt. Sheila Kaul. The Petitioner was a stranger and was neither close to the family of Smt. Sheila Kaul nor had any role to play in the matter. Further there is no evidence on record to show that the Petitioner was benefited in any manner. The act alleged was not connected with the office of the Petitioner and thus it can be said to be an act of any other ordinary person and Section 9, PC Act is not attracted. The necessary ingredients of Section 9, PC Act involve the exercise of personal influence over the public servant for doing or forbearing to do an act. From the evidence on record, there is no allegation of favour or disfavour by the Petitioner.

(2.) LEARNED counsel for the CBI on the other hand contends that OP Sahni is a prosecution witness. As per OP Sahni, the Petitioner was an acquaintance as OSD to the Governor of Haryana. In view thereof Anup Srivastava and the Petitioner came to the Society's office where Anup Shrivatava and the Petitioner stated to them that they will have to give membership to the family members of Smt. Sheila Kaul and Rs. 5 lakhs in cash to the accused Rattan Kaul. The co -accused Anup Shrivastava further stated that they would go to the residence of Smt. Sheila Kaul in the evening and there money could be paid to Rattan Kaul. Thus, R.P. Gupta and Hawa Singh decided to pay the money in the interest of society. R.P. Gupta and his son I.P. Gupta arranged money and then they all went to 9, Moti Lal Nehru Marg where the Petitioner and Anup Shrivasatv took Hawa Singh, who was carrying Rs. 5 lakhs in a bag, inside the house and after sometime Hawa Singh came out and informed that the money had been given to Rattan Kaul as directed by Anup Shrivastava and that they will have to pay more money in future. Despite payment, Anup Shrivastava, the Petitioner and Rattan Kaul failed to get the society's work done. According to O.P. Sahni, deal was struck with Rattan Kaul and S.M. Batra and pursuant to which an amount of Rs. 10.94 lakhs was paid to Rattan Kaul. Thus, there is ample evidence on record. At this stage, the Court is only required to see whether there is prima facie evidence to proceed against the Petitioner. Further there being no illegality or gross abuse of the process of the Court, the scope of consideration in the present petition is limited in view of the decision of Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in Anur Kumar Jain vs. CBI, : 178 (2011) DLT 501.

(3.) BRIEFLY the prosecution case is that Jagjivan Cooperative Group House Building Society (in short the "society") after acquiring some land in 1989 in Vasant Kunj had applied to the DDA in 1991 for No Objection Certificate (NOC) for starting construction of houses. However, the DDA did not issue the NOC as the land had already been acquired in 1986. In 1993 the Society represented to the then Minister of State of Urban Development for issuance of NOC. The State Minister recommended the case on 25th November, 1993 and sent the file to the Union Urban Development Minister Smt. Sheila Kaul for her approval, which remained pending till second week of February,1994. Co -accused R.P. Gupta, I.P. Gupta, Hawa Singh and A.K. Gupta were office bearers of the society. The Petitioner was working as OSD to the then Governor of Haryana. Thus R.P. Gupta, who was well known to the Governor, met him along with O.P. Sahni then treasurer of the society. According to the witness they used to request the then Governor for help in getting necessary NOC issued to the society for starting the construction of houses from DDA and Ministry of Urban Development. According to O.P. Sahni, Smt. Prem Batra wife of the Petitioner was also made member of the society. He further stated that sometime during February, 1994 he was introduced to one Anup Shrivasatava. As per the witness, who looked at the accounts of the society, he met Anup Shrivastava at the site office at Vasant Kunj. In February 1994 Anup Shrivastava was introduced to O.P. Sahni by some executive member whom he did not recognize. S.M. Batra the Petitioner herein also accompanied Anup Shrivasatava. At that time R.P. Gupta, Hawa Singh and I.P. Gupta were also present. During discussion Anup Shrivastava stated that he was very close to the family of Smt. Sheila Kaul and he could help them in getting the necessary NOC issued to the society from Smt. Sheila Kaul with whom the file was at that time pending for decision. Both Anup Srivastava and the Petitioner stated them that they would have to give membership to the society of the family member of Smt. Sheila Kaul. Thereafter they told them to pay Rs. 5 lakhs in cash to Rattan Kaul. Although O.P. Sahni was against making any payment for getting the NOC issued yet R.P. Gupta and Hawa Singh decided that in the larger interest of the members of the society, the payment can be made. Shri R.P. Gupta took upon himself to arrange the amount through his own sources. Anup Srivastava told them that they could come to the residence of Smt. Sheila Kaul at 9, Moti lal Nehru Marg in the evening when the amount can be paid to Rattan Kaul. R.P. Gupta and his son I.P. Gupta arranged the amount and they along with O.P. Sahni and Hawa Singh went to 9, Moti Lal Nehru Marg in the evening where Anup Shrivastav and S.M. Batra took Hawa Singh inside the house along with Rs.5 lakhs whereas others waited outside. After some time Hawa Singh returned and told that the bag containing Rs. 5 lakhs had been given to Rattan Kaul. He further stated that as directed by Anup Shrivastava, they will have to pay some other amount in near future if they were to get the NOC for the society. Sometime in April, 1994 R.P. Gupta and Hawa Singh told that Anup Shrivastava has told them to pay another sum of Rs. 5 -6 lakhs. With the assurance of the members of the executive body of the society they decided to pay the amount by way of demand draft/bankers cheques. This amount was also arranged by R.P. Gupta from his own sources and paid to Rattan Kaul by way of demand drafts/banker's cheque in the favour of six persons, that is, Rattan Kaul, Vivek Kaul, Ashish Kaul, Shantanu Kaul, Manju Madan and Suresh Butani within five -six day.