Supreme Court dismisses SPCC PIL against CM I carry no grudge against the petitioners: Pawan Chamling

GANGTOK, March 25: The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition filed by Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) functionaries seeking CBI probe into the disproportionate assets allegations against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

According to national agency reports, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan directed petitioner Kunga Nima Lepcha, SPCC general secretary, to approach the investigating agencies concerned if he has got any such grievance.

The apex court directed the petitioner that if he feels he has got sufficient material, he can place the same before the probe agencies under relevant provisions of CrPC.

In response, Chamling expressed his satisfaction over the verdict of the Supreme Court.
This has made me more humble and has entrusted on me an even greater responsibility towards the people of the State, said the Chief Minister while addressing the inaugural session of the two day Career-cum-Employment Mela here at Chintan Bhavan.

Breaking the verdict news in his address, Chamling categorically stated that he has no grudge or ill-will against anyone. I have no grudge against anyone, not even against those who filed a case against me, he said.

On the other hand, petitioner Lepcha has claimed that the today’s Supreme Court order implies that the court has ‘not given clean chit’ to Chamling in the disproportionate asset issue as alleged in the petition.

In a press statement, the SPCC general secretary said that the petitioners will decide their next course of action after getting the written order of the Court, in consultation with the legal experts.

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court had on December 23, 2008 reserved its judgement following the conclusion of the arguments on the petition after nine hearings since August 14, 2006.

Four SPCC functionaries led by Lepcha had filed the petition alleging Chamling of amassing disproportionate assets worth more than Rs. 1538 lakhs following which the apex Court had served notice to the Chief Minister on August 14, 2008. The petitioners had prayed for a CBI probe.

Source: Sikkim Express