Siphoning of RFL funds: SC sets deadline on investigation
Directs police to conclude probe against Shivinder by Dec 15
SC upholds Art 370, demonetisation in this year’s historic verdicts
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday asked Delhi Police to conclude probe by December 15 in a case against former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh who along with others is accused of misappropriating Rs 2,397 crore of Religare Finvest Ltd (RFL) funds.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana asked Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police, to conclude the probe within the stipulated period. At the outset, Additional Solicitor General K M Natraj, appearing for Delhi Police, said the investigation is at an advanced stage and sought time by the end of this month to complete the probe. The top court, however, said it would not give that much time and take up the matter on December 15.
"We kept the matter pending. Again you want time. One thing you have to remember, you should not take sides. You need to carry out a fair investigation. We are not bothered who has taken money. In criminal offences, investigating agencies have to be neutral. That's what we want. "We're not going to give much time to complete. We are listing the matter for December 15," said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and Hima Kohli. Senior advocate R Basant, appearing for complainant Manpreet Suri of RFL, said 200 crore have been paid to silence witnesses and it will be dangerous to release the petitioner. The bench said, "You want to file proceedings to settle scores. We don't allow that. If they want to book FIR let them book we have nothing to do with that." The top court further said, "We are not going to look into those things. Its a case for bail, we'll decide whether to grant bail or not. Don't enlarge the scope of this matter. This is a simple case for bail." Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Singh, said the apex court had granted further time to conclude the probe now they are again seeking more time. The bench then posted the matter for hearing on December 15. In May, the Delhi High Court cancelled Singh's bail, noting that his detention was necessary to unearth the conspiracy hatched by him" and trace the alleged siphoned off money.
