While refusing to allow petitioner's request to withdraw the case, Supreme Court on April 5, 2022 issued notice in a writ petition seeking investigation into a multi crore bank scam allegedly committed by an Uttarakhand IPS Officer and into the alleged murder of a whistle blower.
"You have made such serious allegations" a bench comprising CJI NV Ramana, Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Hima Kohli remarked after the counsel appearing for the petitioner at the outset sought to withdraw the petition to approach the High Court.
"Why haven't you added people against whom you've made allegations as a party?", asked the Chief Justice of India while issuing notice.
The current petition, filed by Advocate Raj Kishore Choudhary, seeks directions to investigate multi-billion-dollar banking fraud connected to a massive export/import benefit scam affecting all segments of society, which, according to the petitioner, has already resulted in the brutal murder of a whistle-blower.
According to the petitioner, Mr. Mohan Singh filed a complaint with the CBI and the Central Vigilance Commission in August last year, requesting an investigation into massive economic crimes, disproportionate assets, and benami companies committed by an Uttarakhand police officer. However, Singh was killed/murdered, and no FIR was registered passing it off as 'accident.
The petitioner Nishant Rohal, a resident of UP, has argued that a Union Bank of India mega loan fraud was conducted by the officer and his associates through criminal conspiracy, forgery, cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal misconduct. The petitioner filed a Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) complaint with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) seeking investigation into the fraud.
The petitioner has contended that after the lodging of the Whistle blower complaints under Public Interest Disclosure and protection of Informers Resolution, the officer in collusion with other beneficiaries of the massive scam, has started insolvency and bankruptcy of the said benami companies.
The petitioner has therefore sought directions for production Action Taken Reports on the complaint filed by him and all other whistle blowers from Central Vigilance Commission against the police officer and his associates.
Further directions have been sought for constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter.
The petitioner has further sought directions to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)/Delhi Police which has a special wing to investigate the present bank fraud cases.
The petition has also sought registration of FIR into the alleged murder of whistle blower Mohan Singh killed on 21.08.2021 at Shantipur Highway, after he had allegedly lodged confidential complaints with CVC and CBI.
The petitioner has also sought directions for protection of the identity of the complainants and witnesses.
Case Title: Nishant Rohal v Union of India & Ors,
CITATION - WP(Crl) 101/2022
