The Rajasthan HC on Wednesday (21st October 2020) stayed the proceedings of a trial court, which had ordered the reopening of a probe against the former Union Minister, Arun Shourie, and 4 others over the sale of Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel, Udaipur.
Justice Vijay Bishnoi has also called for the records of the case from the special CBI court while directing it not to proceed against the five petitioners until HCs further orders. Significantly, the matter against Arun Shourie dates back to the year 2001, when he was the Union Minister for Disinvestment and when the disinvestment of Laxmi Vilas Hotel, Udaipur took place.
The Court in its order noted, “In furtherance of the order dated 22.09.2020 passed by this Court in these matters, it is ordered that trial court shall not proceed against the petitioners pursuant to the impugned order till further orders”.
The petitions are filed on behalf of the petitioners challenging the order dated15.09.2020 passed by Special Judge, C.B.I., Jodhpur (hereinafter referred to as “trial court”) in Final Report case, whereby the trial court while rejecting the above referred Final Report ordered for taking cognizance against the petitioners for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 120B IPC and Section 13(2) read with Section (1)(D) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The trial court has summoned the petitioners through a warrant of arrest and further ordered for attachment of the property i.e. Laxmi Vilas Hotel situated at Udaipur and appointed the District collector, Udaipur as the receiver.
The trial court had also summoned the petitioners through a warrant of arrest and had further ordered for attachment of the property i.e. Laxmi Vilas Hotel situated at Udaipur and appointed the District Collector, Udaipur as the receiver.
The Court in the present case ordered, “After considering the arguments advanced on behalf the respective counsels for the petitioners, in furtherance of the order dated 22.09.2020 passed by this court in these matters, it is ordered that the trial court shall not proceed against the petitioners pursuant to the impugned order till further orders”.
