SC directs CBI to probe UP Provident Fund scam

Two weeks after seeking response from the Uttar Pradesh Government on handing over the multi-crore Ghaziabad Provident Fund scam, involving several judges, to the central agency, the Supreme Court on Tuesday gave its approval for a CBI probe.

Directing the CBI to file its report in three months, the apex court said it has no objections provided the state government cooperates with the central agency.

Earlier on September 9, the Supreme Court had sought the response of the State Government whether the probe in the grave matter could be posted to CBI. This was in response to a letter written by Senior Superintendent of Police, Ghaziabad to the DGP, suggesting that the case could be referred to the CBI as it was difficult to probe fairly by the state police.

Putting doubt over the investigation to be carried without any interruption, the SSP said the local police would not be able to conduct the fair probe as the case was involving district judges, High Court judges and even a Supreme Court judge.

When this official letter was brought into the SC's notice by senior counsel Anil Divan, appearing for the Ghaziabad Bar Association, the Supreme Court had slammed the state government for concealing the matter and asked the State to file its response in two weeks.

The Uttar Pradesh Government gave its approval today saying it had no problem in handing over the case from the state police to the central agency.

Initially after unveiling the case a Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan had also sought assistance from the Solicitor General of India, Gulam E Vahanvati on whether a judicial probe into the case could be allowed.

Before that Allahabad High Court had denied to order CBI investigation into the 7-crore scam and deputed a 16-member team to examine the veracity of the complaint. Unsatisfied with the HC order, the Ghaziabad Lawyers' body thus had approached to Supreme Court citing such investigation could dent the image of the judiciary among the public, which still acts as the last hope of the people.

The case is related to Uttar Pradesh’s 7 crore “Provident Fund scam” allegedly involving 26 judges, comprising one from apex court, seven High Court and six retired HC judges, ten serving district judges and two retired district judges.

A former Ghaziabad treasurer, Ashutosh Asthana, who is presently in jail had alleged that fraudulent withdrawals had taken place with the approval of the concerned judges. He had named 26 judges, as beneficiaries of the provident fund account of third and fourth-grade employees in Ghaziabad region between 2001 and 2008.