HC stays Lokayukta hearing against Roshan Baig
Disproportionate asset case
Bengaluru, June 21: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday stayed a hearing in Lokayukta court against former minister and MLA Roshan Baig and his family members in amassing Rs 56 lakh worth assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
In their petition, Roshan Baig, his wife Sabeena Roshan and his son Ruman Baig Rehman have appealed the High Court to dismiss the hearing in the Lokayukta court and the summons issued to them. Hearing the case, a Single-Bench Judge Justice K N Phaneendra gave interim stay order for the Lokayukta hearing till further hearing of the case. The HC also served notices to Lokayukta police and private complainant Abdul Haq Surati before postponing the hearing.
About the case
Abdul Haq Surati had lodged a private complaint in Lokayukta against Roshan Baig on June 14, 2012 alleging that that the Congress leader had amassed assets through illegal means by misusing his power and position. Lokayukta court had ordered a probe into the complaint. Based on this, Lokayukta police had registered an FIR against Roshan Baig and his family members on July 12, 2012 and started investigation.
After the investigation, the Lokayukta police had submitted a B-Report to the Lokayukta Court on April 22, 2014 and dropped the charges against Roshan Baig, his wife and son. But the complainant opposed the B report. But the Lokayukta court had accepted the case after four years on May 5, 2018 for hearing and issued summons to Roshan Baig and his family members. It was challenged in the High Court.
However, it was mentioned in the appeal that as the investigating officers did not find suitable evidences on the charges made against Roshan Baig and his family members, the officers had submitted B report. Just for Rs 56.71 lakh disproportionate income, it was not fair to issue summons. But as per the Supreme Court order, if the disproportionate asset is less than 10 per cent, it would not come under the Anti Corruption Act. The case was filed with ulterior motive and though the complainant did not continue the case since 2014, the Lokayukta court did not take this into consideration while accepting the case. So, the case should be dismissed, it was appealed.
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