LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, Aug 9: The Lokpal of India has directed JMM patriarch and Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren to appear before the Lokpal on August 25 in a complaint of disproportionate assets against him.
The bench of Justice Abhilasha Kumari (judicial member) and members namely Mahender Singh and Indrajeet P. Gautam passed this order on August 4 following the hearing of this matter.
The four pages order states that in the considered opinion of the Lokpal proceedings under Section 20(3) should be initiated against Shibu Soren, “in order to determine whether there exists a prima-facie case to proceed against the public servant, under one, or more, of the options provided under sub-section 3, clause (a) (b), (c) of Section 20 of the Act.”
The Lokpal directed the Registry to issue a notice to him under Section 20(3) of the Lokpal Act so that he defends the allegations through personal appearance or through his advocate. Besides, the Lokpal also directed the Registry that Shibu Soren should be provided with a copy of the complaint and the Preliminary Inquiry Report of the CBI.
A complaint was filed against Shibu Soren on August 5, 2020 that he and his family members are involved in rampant corruption. They have amassed huge wealth disproportionate to their “known and declared sources of income and having several commercial and residential properties in his/ their names, by adopting corrupt and unscrupulous means and misusing the public exchequer in the State of Jharkhand.”
The full Bench of the Lokpal on September 15, 2020 directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the matter under Section 20(1) (a) of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. It directed the CBI to submit the report on March 1, 2021.
The CBI submitted a report on July 1, enclosing details of whatsoever properties in the name of Shibu Soren and his family members. The CBI also enclosed certain Income Tax Returns (ITR) and informed that it has asked his comments regarding properties in his possession.
In the light of the CBI report the full bench of the Lokpal of India passed the order on July 29, 2021, that comments/documents from respondents should be sought. The Lokpal in its order has maintained that it gave time extension to Shibu Soren on several occasions to file his reply and required documents were also provided. Finally, the reply was submitted on April 4 this year. The Lokpal further directed the CBI to examine the reply and submit an inquiry report. In between comments were sought from the competent authority of the Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren. In response the Additional Director, Rajya Sabha Secretariat, informed that the Rajya Sabha Chairman has no comments to offer on the allegations made in the complaint.
The CBI filed the final Preliminary Inquiry Report on June 29, 2022, which the Lokpal found quite exhaustive.
“We have accorded deep and thoughtful consideration to the complaint, comments of the public servant, and status reports of the CBI and other material on record, in this matter. Looking to the gravity of the alleged allegations, we are of the view that proceedings under Section 20(3) should be initiated, in order to determine whether there exists a prima-facie case to proceed against the public servant, under one, or more, of the options provided under sub-section 3, clause(a) (b), (c) of Section 20 of the Act,” the order reads.
