NALIN SOREN Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State Vigilance.

(2.) Petitioner has been made accused for the offence under Sections 406/409/420/423/424/465/120B of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 11, 12, 13 and 15 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, in connection with Vigilance P.S. Case No.11 of 2009 corresponding to Special Case No.15(B) of 2009.

(3.) The petitioner, at the relevant time, was the Minister in the State of Jharkhand, in-charge of the Agriculture Department, and the case relates to irregularities made in the purchase of seeds by the State Government. The case relates to the period from 2003 to 2007, but so far as the petitioner is concerned, he joined the Ministry in the State of Jharkhand on 12.10.2006 and as such, the allegation against the petitioner relates to a limited period only. In the FIR, it is alleged that the then Director of Agriculture, vide Office order No.792 dated 12.4.2007 had issued supply orders to M/s NEFADE and NERAMAKE, for supply of vegetable seeds worth Rs. 126.60 lacs and the same has been shown as supplied and distributed, but it is alleged that as per the quantity ordered, no institution in India is having the capacity to produce or supply that quantity as ordered.