The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Gujarat government and the Central Bureau of Investigation on a petition by IAS officer Pradeep N. Sharma, who complained he was being targeted and sought a CBI probe into five cases pending against him and transfer of the trial outside the State.
The notice is returnable in two weeks. The court already issued notice in May on transfer of four first information reports. The present petition was filed as subsequently one more FIR was registered against Mr. Sharma.
The petitioner said he was being victimised as he is the younger brother of Kuldip Sharma, seniormost IPS officer in Gujarat and Additional Director-General of Police. He said Mr. Kuldip Sharma himself was targeted by the government as he did not abide by the illegal instructions of Mr. Modi and the then Minister of State (Home), Amit Shah. The Chief Minister downgraded the ACRs with the mala fide intention of denying him promotion. At least three outstanding ACRs were required in the last 10 years for one to qualify for the next promotion.
The petitioner said all the cases had been registered at the behest of the Chief Minister to falsely implicate and persecute him and to deprive him of his personal life and liberty. The cases were being investigated by the State machinery at the behest of Mr. Modi, who had a personal agenda to ensure that he remained incarcerated.
The petitioner said Mr. Modi had a misplaced apprehension that he was the recipient of a VCD, alleged to be existing, involving the Chief Minister.
A Bench of Justices Aftab Alam and R.M. Lodha issued the notice after hearing senior counsel Colin Gonsalves and counsel Sunil Fernandes, appearing for Mr. Pradeep Sharma.
