Soni Satti
A Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices UU Lalit, Indira Banerjee, and KM Joseph rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) petition requesting an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the accidental death of former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Kalikho Pul.
The Apex court heard the petition, which admitted that the petitioner had no connection to the deceased Chief Minister and it was filed four years after the incident.
The Bench noted, “The person committed suicide four years ago. You made a representation one year later and you have no relationship with the deceased. Either you withdraw or we will dismiss,”
Siddhartha Dave, a Senior advocate, requested permission to proceed to the High Court. Later, the petitioner dismissed his challenge.
Late Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul named several current and former Supreme Court judges, as well as senior Congress leaders in a 60-page suicide letter which he left behind at the time of his death.
Pul’s wife has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate Pul’s accusations of corruption. Dangwimsai, Pul’s widow, filed a letter in court, which eventually turned into a lawsuit, pleading an investigation into her husband’s suicide note.
After the letter was turned into a writ, Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave retracted it. As per the note, on behalf of Chief Justice of India J S Khehar in the Supreme Court, a Former Judge approached Kalikho Pul.
Citing a Supreme Court ruling that states that Supreme court and High Court judges could be prosecuted for corruption once the Chief Justice of India gives consent, Dave had asked why Dangwimsai’s letter had been turned into a writ petition.
Dave stated, “If the CJI himself is the person against allegations are made, then the government shall consult any judge of the SC,”