Serious doubts over Subbas identity: SC

The court was hearing a petition filed by Noida resident Birendra Nath Singh in 2005,alleging that Subba,then a Lok Sabha MP from Tezpur and a lottery baron,was a Nepalese citizen who had fled to India after a murder case was registered against him in Nepal in the early 1970s.

Subbas counsel A M Singhvi said he had in his possession a report of Nepali authorities denying Subbas involvement in any murder case.

The argument,however,did not impress the court. What is the point in getting a report from that country when the person is residing here in India , the court observed.

Subbas citizenship had come under suspicion following a CBI report that he obtained a birth certificate in a fraudulent manner. Subba had raised objections to the verification report filed by the CBI on December 10,2007,on his nationality.

CBI said he had given different dates of birth and places of birth before various authorities,and thus was prima facie guilty of various criminal offences.