CBI Probe on foreign funds to ex-Punjab MLA reaches SC

A probe against funds to a former Punjab MLA came up before the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud on Friday (January 12).

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against former Punjab MLA Arvind Khanna. Khanna while in his office as an MLA had received a sum of Rs 9,04,84,770 from his father Vipin Khanna, mostly through eight foreign entities, one of which is known as New Heaven Nominees.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on December 18, 2006 had sanctioned an investigation under Section 28 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976, alleging that the petitioner received funds without obtaining prior permission of the Central Government.

Accordingly, the CBI on April 2, 2007, registered the FIR for violation of Section 23 (1) read with Section 4 (1) FCRA against the MLA for receiving the contribution from foreign entities without prior permission of the Central government while he Khanna was an MLA.

The bench has adjourned the matter.

—India Legal Bureau