Black money: Govt files review petition in SC - Chandigarh Tribune

Black money: Govt files review petition in SC
Opposed to SIT headed by judges & inclusion of RAW chief in it
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, July 15
The government today filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking recall of the court?s July 4 order for setting up a 13-member Special Investigation Team to probe all aspects of the black money issue as part of efforts to bring back massive amounts illegally stashed in secret bank accounts overseas.

A Bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy (now retired) and SS Nijjar had passed the order specifying that former apex court judges BP Jeevan Reddy and MB Shah would be the chairman and vice-chairman of the SIT that would include the chiefs of the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Revenue Intelligence and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) that deals with external intelligence.

The government?s review petition has taken specific exception to the inclusion of the RAW chief as operations of the wing were not generally disclosed. The petition also maintained that handing over the investigations to persons and agencies that did not have the mandate under law had disturbed the delineation of powers ensured under the Constitution.

In fact, some legal experts had already questioned the wisdom of appointing former Supreme Court judges to head the investigations and prepare the chargesheet, as this would result in a peculiar problem -- the trial court would have to sit in judgment over a chargesheet vetted by former apex court judges.

The SC Bench had slammed the government for conducting the investigations ?at a laggardly pace? even in case of ?named individuals,? including Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, against whom the Income Tax Department had issued a demand notice for payment of Rs 70,000 crore in tax arrears and penalty.

The Bench had passed the order on a bunch of PILs seeking steps to bring back black money to the tune of over $1 trillion taken out of the country illegally by individuals and entities to evade tax.

Among the petitioners are former law minister Ram Jethmalani and Punjab Police former chiefs KPS Gill and Julio F Riberio.

Then Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium had argued for the government in the case. He had put in his papers on July 9 after feeling insulted by his replacement in the 2G case for a specific hearing. His resignation was accepted yesterday.

In the review plea, the government has also maintained that the high-power committee set up with the Revenue Secretary as its head was sufficient to conduct investigations as it had the chiefs of all relevant agencies as its members. The apex court had directed the government to convert this committee into a SIT, with the addition of the RAW chief and the two former judges. 

Black money: Govt files review petition in SC - Chandigarh Tribune

Black money: Govt files review petition in SC
Opposed to SIT headed by judges & inclusion of RAW chief in it
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, July 15
The government today filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking recall of the court?s July 4 order for setting up a 13-member Special Investigation Team to probe all aspects of the black money issue as part of efforts to bring back massive amounts illegally stashed in secret bank accounts overseas.

A Bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy (now retired) and SS Nijjar had passed the order specifying that former apex court judges BP Jeevan Reddy and MB Shah would be the chairman and vice-chairman of the SIT that would include the chiefs of the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Revenue Intelligence and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) that deals with external intelligence.

The government?s review petition has taken specific exception to the inclusion of the RAW chief as operations of the wing were not generally disclosed. The petition also maintained that handing over the investigations to persons and agencies that did not have the mandate under law had disturbed the delineation of powers ensured under the Constitution.

In fact, some legal experts had already questioned the wisdom of appointing former Supreme Court judges to head the investigations and prepare the chargesheet, as this would result in a peculiar problem -- the trial court would have to sit in judgment over a chargesheet vetted by former apex court judges.

The SC Bench had slammed the government for conducting the investigations ?at a laggardly pace? even in case of ?named individuals,? including Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, against whom the Income Tax Department had issued a demand notice for payment of Rs 70,000 crore in tax arrears and penalty.

The Bench had passed the order on a bunch of PILs seeking steps to bring back black money to the tune of over $1 trillion taken out of the country illegally by individuals and entities to evade tax.

Among the petitioners are former law minister Ram Jethmalani and Punjab Police former chiefs KPS Gill and Julio F Riberio.

Then Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium had argued for the government in the case. He had put in his papers on July 9 after feeling insulted by his replacement in the 2G case for a specific hearing. His resignation was accepted yesterday.

In the review plea, the government has also maintained that the high-power committee set up with the Revenue Secretary as its head was sufficient to conduct investigations as it had the chiefs of all relevant agencies as its members. The apex court had directed the government to convert this committee into a SIT, with the addition of the RAW chief and the two former judges. 

Black money: Govt files review petition in SC - Chandigarh Tribune

Black money: Govt files review petition in SC
Opposed to SIT headed by judges & inclusion of RAW chief in it
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, July 15
The government today filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking recall of the court?s July 4 order for setting up a 13-member Special Investigation Team to probe all aspects of the black money issue as part of efforts to bring back massive amounts illegally stashed in secret bank accounts overseas.

A Bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy (now retired) and SS Nijjar had passed the order specifying that former apex court judges BP Jeevan Reddy and MB Shah would be the chairman and vice-chairman of the SIT that would include the chiefs of the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Revenue Intelligence and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) that deals with external intelligence.

The government?s review petition has taken specific exception to the inclusion of the RAW chief as operations of the wing were not generally disclosed. The petition also maintained that handing over the investigations to persons and agencies that did not have the mandate under law had disturbed the delineation of powers ensured under the Constitution.

In fact, some legal experts had already questioned the wisdom of appointing former Supreme Court judges to head the investigations and prepare the chargesheet, as this would result in a peculiar problem -- the trial court would have to sit in judgment over a chargesheet vetted by former apex court judges.

The SC Bench had slammed the government for conducting the investigations ?at a laggardly pace? even in case of ?named individuals,? including Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, against whom the Income Tax Department had issued a demand notice for payment of Rs 70,000 crore in tax arrears and penalty.

The Bench had passed the order on a bunch of PILs seeking steps to bring back black money to the tune of over $1 trillion taken out of the country illegally by individuals and entities to evade tax.

Among the petitioners are former law minister Ram Jethmalani and Punjab Police former chiefs KPS Gill and Julio F Riberio.

Then Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium had argued for the government in the case. He had put in his papers on July 9 after feeling insulted by his replacement in the 2G case for a specific hearing. His resignation was accepted yesterday.

In the review plea, the government has also maintained that the high-power committee set up with the Revenue Secretary as its head was sufficient to conduct investigations as it had the chiefs of all relevant agencies as its members. The apex court had directed the government to convert this committee into a SIT, with the addition of the RAW chief and the two former judges. 

Black money: Govt files review petition in SC - Chandigarh Tribune

Black money: Govt files review petition in SC
Opposed to SIT headed by judges & inclusion of RAW chief in it
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, July 15
The government today filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking recall of the court?s July 4 order for setting up a 13-member Special Investigation Team to probe all aspects of the black money issue as part of efforts to bring back massive amounts illegally stashed in secret bank accounts overseas.

A Bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy (now retired) and SS Nijjar had passed the order specifying that former apex court judges BP Jeevan Reddy and MB Shah would be the chairman and vice-chairman of the SIT that would include the chiefs of the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Revenue Intelligence and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) that deals with external intelligence.

The government?s review petition has taken specific exception to the inclusion of the RAW chief as operations of the wing were not generally disclosed. The petition also maintained that handing over the investigations to persons and agencies that did not have the mandate under law had disturbed the delineation of powers ensured under the Constitution.

In fact, some legal experts had already questioned the wisdom of appointing former Supreme Court judges to head the investigations and prepare the chargesheet, as this would result in a peculiar problem -- the trial court would have to sit in judgment over a chargesheet vetted by former apex court judges.

The SC Bench had slammed the government for conducting the investigations ?at a laggardly pace? even in case of ?named individuals,? including Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, against whom the Income Tax Department had issued a demand notice for payment of Rs 70,000 crore in tax arrears and penalty.

The Bench had passed the order on a bunch of PILs seeking steps to bring back black money to the tune of over $1 trillion taken out of the country illegally by individuals and entities to evade tax.

Among the petitioners are former law minister Ram Jethmalani and Punjab Police former chiefs KPS Gill and Julio F Riberio.

Then Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium had argued for the government in the case. He had put in his papers on July 9 after feeling insulted by his replacement in the 2G case for a specific hearing. His resignation was accepted yesterday.

In the review plea, the government has also maintained that the high-power committee set up with the Revenue Secretary as its head was sufficient to conduct investigations as it had the chiefs of all relevant agencies as its members. The apex court had directed the government to convert this committee into a SIT, with the addition of the RAW chief and the two former judges. 

India, Bangladesh to fight terror jointly - Chandigarh Tribune

New Delhi/Dhaka, July 6
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today embarked on an official visit to Bangladesh during which he is expected to convey India's commitment to forging an enduring relationship with the neighbouring country.

Asserting that India remains committed to a partnership in the development and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh, Krishna said that both the countries remain steadfast in their efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism.

?We are at a historic juncture. I am confident that through a forward-looking, progressive and pragmatic approach based on understanding and cooperation, we can achieve a mutually rewarding relationship that brings a brighter future, prosperity and development to the people of both countries,? said Krishna on his arrival at the Dhaka airport today.

"India remains committed to a partnership in the development and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh. Both the countries remain steadfast in their efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism,? he added

During talks with the Bangladesh leaders, Krishna will review the gamut of bilateral relations ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's September 6-7 visit. His three-day trip comes against the backdrop of Singh?s remarks last Wednesday about 25 per cent of Bangladeshis being anti-Indian which kicked up an uproar in that country.

The two sides are expected to sign several ?bilateral documents? on transit, a 15-year interim accord on Teesta river water-sharing, joint ventures in power sector and development projects under the $1billion Line of Credit extended by India in January last year during Hasina?s visit to Delhi.

Krishna's visit is part of the spadework to work out the ?deliverables? by India during Singh's visit to Dhaka when New Delhi is expected to come out with unilateral trade concessions, including further easing of Bangladeshi textile exports to the Indian market, and an agreement on border demarcation and adversely-held enclaves. ? PTI