SC Dismisses Petition For Probe Against Naidu

In a major setback to YSR Congress honorary president and Pulivendula MLA Y S Vijayamma, the Supreme Court, on Monday, dismissed a Special Leave petition filed by her against former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu - in which she sought a CBI inquiry into the latter's alleged disproportionate assets.

While quashing the petition, a division bench of the Supreme Court observed that the dismissal of the petition against Naidu does not mean that the apex court was giving him a clean chit.

Noted criminal lawyer Ram Jethmalani and Mukul Rohatgi argued on behalf of Vijayamma, while Harish Salve and A K Ganli represented Reliance, and Anil Diwan argued for media baron Ramoji Rao.

After hearing the arguments and counter-arguments over the probe, the bench observed that there was political rivalry at play, and that the present writ petition appeared to be a counter-attack.

The petition amounted to an abuse of the process of court under the guise of an SLP, the bench said, and pointed out to Vijayamma that she had not complained to any authority before actually filing a PIL in the High Court, which was dismissed in Feb 2012.

The court directed Vijayamma to lodge a complaint with the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate or other investigating agencies.

Her petition was about Naidu doling out several favours to select corporate houses and amassing wealth.

The court also directed Vijayamma to lodge a complaint with investigation agencies with substantial evidence.

It may be recalled that Vijayamma had filed a petition before the Supreme Court, challenging the AP High Court's decision to dismiss her plea for an inquiry - into Chandrababu Naidu's assets - by the CBI and other central agencies.

Vijayamma, in her 45-page petition before the apex court, asked whether it was appropriate for the HC bench to dismiss her petition when another bench had earlier ordered an enquiry into the same issue. (INN)