The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to interfere with the criminal proceedings against the former BJP president, Bangaru Laxman, in a case relating to a ‘sting operation' by Tehelka of his receiving an alleged bribe of Rs. 1 lakh in a fictitious defence deal.
Plea rejected
A Bench of Justices A.K. Ganguly and Gyan Sudha Misra dismissed a special leave petition filed by Mr. Laxman against a Delhi High Court order that rejected his plea against taking cognisance of the offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Bench, however, said it was not making any observation on the merits of the case and it would be decided by the trial court.
Special leave petition
The Bench also rejected another special leave petition filed by Mr. Laxman questioning the grant of pardon to co-accused T. Sathyamurthy after he turned approver.
Criminal prosecution
Mr. Laxman had questioned the High Court order on the ground that a criminal prosecution arising out of allegations based solely on “sting operation” was not at all maintainable.
He said the Special Judge ought not to have granted pardon exercising powers under Section 306 of Cr. P.C at a stage when neither a charge sheet was filed nor cognisance of offence was taken. But the Bench rejected these contentions and allowed the trial to proceed.
