SC refuses to transfer Maya case to Delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a plea for transfer of the disproportionate assets case, allegedly involving Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and her cabinet colleague Nasimuddin Siddiqui. It was in this case in 2007 that Governor T V Rajeshwar had refused to accord sanction for prosecution against the duo. The Bench, comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveedran, while refusing to accede to the petitioner Ram Mohan Garg’s plea seeking transfer of the case from the CBI court of Special Judge Rekha Mishra at Lucknow to a designated court in Delhi, asked him to first approach the Allahabad High Court for remedy.

Advocate D K Garg, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that he had moved the designated court at Lucknow on October 22, 2007 urging it to take cognizance of the offence and initiate trial against Mayawati and Siddiqui, without the Governor’s sanction as it was not necessary. He raised apprehensions that it will not be possible for the Special Court to pass a fair order as, he alleged, S C Mishra, a senior trusted aide of Mayawati, is a close relative of the Special Judge. He further alleged that Mayawati and S C Mishra not only have political affinity but also jointly enjoy vast wealth acquired in a dubious manner.