Delhi High Court reserves verdict on Shibu Soren’s appeal petition

Delhi. The Delhi High Court reserved its verdict on Lokpal’s appeal against the single bench’s decision refusing to intervene in the proceedings initiated against JMM patron Shibu Soren. Lokpal has initiated action based on the complaint of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Justice Subramaniam Prasad had on January 22 refused to intervene, considering Shibu Soren’s petition and complaint challenging the Lokpal action as premature.

The court had emphasized the independence of the Lokpal in deciding whether there is sufficient material to proceed with the investigation. The division bench of Justice Rekha Palli and Justice Rajneesh Bhatnagar, while reserving the verdict on the appeal petition, said that the verdict will be uploaded on Tuesday or Wednesday. Earlier, Justice Prasad had rejected Soren’s lawyer’s argument, saying the entire complaint was politically motivated. In the August 2020 complaint, Nishikant Dubey had alleged that Soren and his family members amassed huge wealth and assets by misusing the government treasury and indulged in corruption.

The court, while confirming the autonomy of the Lokpal, had said that allegations of political influence cannot be accepted. The Ombudsman will independently investigate the matter to decide whether an investigation is warranted. The High Court had earlier stayed the action of the Lokpal in September 2022. The Lokpal had said that Soren’s petition was wrong and there was no violation of fundamental rights. Defending the preliminary investigation, it had said that it was an appropriate action to ascertain the facts mentioned in the complaint.