VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, Aug 23: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) patriarch and Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren appears to have sought time from the Lokpal to file his reply in the disproportionate asset complaint filed by BJP’s Godda MP Nishikant Dubey.
In an order passed on August 4, the Lokpal fixed hearing of the matter on August 25. In this case he was directed to appear before the Lokpal personally or through his advocate.
Reliable sources said that Shibu Soren has sought an additional time to study and reply to the allegations made against him. Godda MP who is the bête noir of the first JMM family had lodged a complaint against Shibu Soren and his family members on August 5, 2020 for amassing disproportionate assets through corrupt means. MP alleged them for amassing 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 the report. On that basis the bench of Justice Abhilasha Kumari (judicial member) and members namely Mahender Singh and Indrajeet P. Gautam of the Lokpal passed the order on August 4.
In the four pages order, the Lokpal said that in its considered opinion proceedings against him should be initiated under Section 20(3) of the Lokpal.
