Delhi HC rejects Shibu Soren’s plea to quash Lokpal proceedings

“…allegations levelled by the respondent no. 2 (BJP MP Nishikant Dubey) it is evident to us that the complaint pertains not only to purchase of properties, which the appellant claims were purchased more than 7 years ago, but also pertains to ongoing incidents of amassing wealth by misuse of power by the appellant (Soren),” noted the court.

The court also added that the Lokpal was yet to decide whether a prima facie case against Soren existed or not.

“…the respondent no. 1 (Lokpal) is yet to take a decision as to whether or not a prima facie case exists for directing investigation against the appellant (Soren) by any agency, including the Delhi Special Police Establishment [CBI],” the bench observed.

The two-judge bench also noted that the complainant had levelled allegations against Soren and his family members of misusing the funds of the exchequer for their personal and political gains with the assistance of one Amit Aggarwal, who was constructing a 22-storey building in Salt Lake, Kolkata.

The Delhi High Court had on January 22 refused to interfere in the Lokpal proceedings against Soren after Dubey filed a complaint alleging that Soren, his family members, associates, etc. had acquired several immovable properties in various districts of Jharkhand.

After Dubey filed a complaint in September 2020, the Lokpal subsequently directed the CBI to conduct a “preliminary inquiry” to ascertain whether there exists a “prima facie case for proceeding in the matter”. The CBI submitted its report in June 2022, in which it said that Shibu Soren and his family did not declare several of their properties in affidavits filed with the Election Commission (EC) and thus are likely to have flouted the Representation of the People Act, 1951.