SC objects to govt stand on Lalu cases

The Supreme Court today took objection to an alleged attempt to give a quiet burial to the scores of economic offences cases against Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi.

In a public interest petition, it was alleged that several favourabale things happened after Prasad was inducted into the Union Cabinet.

The income tax tribunal dismissed in 10 days all the disproportionate assets cases against the couple. The law officer dealing with the cases advised the authorities not to appeal against the orders.

The Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice SN Variava wanted to know how the tribunal could decide the cases so fast.

Petitioner Rajiv Ranjan Singh "Lallan" alleged that Prasad had "manipulated" the system and interfered with the course of justice in the fodder scam cases, disproportionate assets cases and the income tax cases.

The judges asked Solicitor-General GE Vahanvati to give the details of the orders passed by the income tax tribunal last year including its 136-page judgment.

On the tribunal accepting the voluntary returns filed by Prasad, the court asked him how such return could be treated as "full and final" disclosure of his income between the assessment years 1986 and 1996.

The court also asked the Central Board of Direct Taxes what had it done for the assessment years after 1996-97. It asked Vahanvati to inform it the opinion given by the director-general of investigation as well as that of the additional solicitor-general.

The apex court asked the Patna High Court to set up a bench to decide issues pertaining to sanction for prosecuting Prasad as early as possible and not later than 30 days from today.