High Court judge was in touch with Constitutional functionaries who were helping accused people in the Nagrik Apurti Nigam scam
The Enforcement Directorate was represented by the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who told that as per the probe accused were in touch with a Constitutional functionary.
SGI submitted that “ED probe reveals that the accused was in touch with the Constitutional functionary. There was an attempt to reduce the gravity of scheduled offences of other co-accused. Accused also influenced the witness to withdraw statements made before the ED.
He further said that WhatsApp chats revealed connivance between accused IAS officers and those holding Constitutional posts.
The SGI added that these officers were in connivance with authorities in constitutional posts and took advantage. He also said that he would not mention the names but has copy of the Wats App chats We have not revealed names so that faith of people is not shaken upon system.”
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal who represented the Chhattisgarh government “Let Chhattisgarh file it in sealed cover the documents and let there also be reports on how the scam was during BJP regime.
Tushar Mehta asked “Should we disclose that the person in touch with the constitutional functionary conniving with the accused is a High Court judge.
“Advocate Mukul Rohtagi appearing for one of the accused officers said what is there not to disclose.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan,who appeared for the intervenor said that he agrees with the submission of the ED for transfer of trial, and that the the probe should be monitored by the Supreme Court.
“CBI, ED are amenable to political influences and it must monitored by this very court so there is an independent probe,” he said.
The bench headed by Chief Justice of India UU Lalit eventually directed Chhattisgarh and other parties to file reports/ material in sealed cover and posted the case for further consideration on September 26 at 3 pm.
The multi-crore Public Distribution System scam from Chhattisgarh known as NAN scam came to light in 2015 when Economic Offences Investigation (EOI) and Anti-corruption Bureau, Raipur, Chhattisgarh conducted raids on February 12, 2015 in different district offices and residents of the officers of Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation and Chhattisgarh State Warehousing Corporation including its headquarters at Raipur and had registered a case against the officers of the corporation.
Those involved have been accused of supplying low quality rice, grams, salt etc.
The Enforcement Directorate had registered a money laundering case in
with the scam against two IAS officers.
It then moved the present plea seeking transfer of trial from Chhattisgarh alleging that a senior functionary of the government has been trying to weaken the predicate offence against the accused.