NEW DELHI, April 21: The Delhi High Court today reserved orders on a petition seeking an expeditious CBI inquiry into allegations that former Congress president Sitaram Kesri amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income and that he bribed MLAs to get elected to Rajya Sabha. The orders were reserved after CBI filed a comprehensive status report on the probe.A freelance journalist Madhuresh has filed a review petition saying Kesri and his relatives have amassed assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
CBI had cleared Kesri but alleged that his son Amarnath had amassed wealth to the tune of Rs 20 lakh disproportionate to his income. The agency said certain MLAs in Bihar, from where Kesri was elected to Rajya Sabha, had alleged they were offered bribes during Rajya Sabha polls, without stating who offered them.
Meanwhile, Congress said that Kesri's household expenses while he was treasurer and president, were borne by the party.
The petitioner's counsel Shanti Bhushansaid the probe must be given to an independent agency. The bench observed that CBI was probing the matter properly.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
