New Delhi. In an important legal move, the Bhajanlal government of Rajasthan has decided to withdraw the case filed by the previous Gehlot government against the central government in the phone tapping case of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Rajasthan Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma has filed an application in this case saying that there is no merit in this case and it should be withdrawn.
The original suit was filed under Article 131 of the Indian Constitution declaring only the State of Rajasthan to have jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute cases relating to FIR No. 50/2021, dated 25.03.2021, registered by P.S. Crime Branch, New Delhi. The FIR contained charges under Sections 409/120B of the Indian Penal Code and Section 26 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Sections 72 and 72A of the IT Act, 2000.
The previous Gehlot government had argued that the Delhi Police did not have jurisdiction and only the Rajasthan Police should investigate this FIR, and had sought a stay on the proceedings in Delhi. In a recent Supreme Court order dated 05.02.2024, the State of Rajasthan had sought additional time to decide whether they wanted to continue with the original trial.
After deliberations, Shiv Mangal Sharma advised the government that he has decided to withdraw the suit. The application seeks permission from the Hon’ble Court to withdraw the original suit. According to Shiv Mangal Sharma, after examining the petitions, records and overall facts and circumstances of the case, the suit does not stand and no effective purpose would be served by pursuing it further. Therefore, in the interest of justice and to save the precious time of the Hon’ble Court, the State Government has decided to withdraw the suit.
Tags: Bhajan Lal Sharma, Delhi Police, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
FIRST PUBLISHED : July 21, 2024, 22:14 IST