Court raps CBI for tardy probe on Kargil arms deal

NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over the tardy progress in the probe relating to Kargil defence deals that allegedly cost the exchequer Rs 2,000 crore, the Supreme Court on Monday asked for a consolidated report within 3 months.

A bench comprising chief justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice D K Jain and Justice H S Bedi said: ���CBI has to make out in which matter a case could be registered.��� It took exception to the fact that till now the agency had filed only 2 status report in the case though it had agreed for an inquiry in 2005.

The court was not happy with the procedure adopted by the agency that first the case is scrutinised and then after preliminary inquiry a regular case is registered.

���Why not straight away come to preliminary inquiry instead of scrutinising it,��� said the bench. ���Instead of comprehensive report we should have action taken report,��� said the bench.

Additional-solicitor general Gopal Subramanium appearing for CBI said that the investigating agency was following a three-tier procedure relating to the cases. The first stage involves scrutiny of the files, followed by preliminary inquiry and registration of the case.

There are total 48 cases, and the investigating agency would prefer a consolidated report, said Subramanium. Out of 48 cases, 10 cases were relating to the illegal gratification in Tehelka expose. 23 pertaining to Operation Vijay, said Subramanium.

Attorney-general Milon K Banerji, appearing for the centre, assured the court that the defence ministry will file a report on the action taken. Some cases have already been referred to central agency, said Mr Banerji. The court was hearing a public interest petition alleging irregularities in the arms purchases during and after Kargil war 1999.