Last week : The Allahabad High Court Lucknow bench has set-aside the CJM’s directive to investigate the alleged public toilet scam involving the CDO and SP. IAS Megha Rupam and IPS Arvind Chaturvedi have been granted relief.
UTTAR PRADESH: Last week (7th March), the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court set aside the ruling of the Chief judicial magistrate (CJM) of Barabanki district regarding an investigation into an alleged scam involving the construction of public toilets. This decision brings relief to IAS officer Megha Rupam and IPS officer Arvind Chaturvedi, who were implicated in the case when they served as the chief development officer (CDO) and superintendent of police (SP) of Barabanki, respectively.
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The state government contested the CJM’s order dated February 17, 2021, and brought the matter before the High Court. Representing the state government, Additional Advocate General Vinod Kumar Shahi argued against the CJM’s decision, citing constitutional violations. The high court, in its ruling dated March 7, determined that the CJM’s order was flawed and unsustainable under the law.
The state government in court. “The CJM had ordered the probe against the then CDO and the SP of Barabanki in violation of constitutional provisions law. The high court has set aside the CJM’s order,” said Vinod Kumar Shahi
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Justice Subhash Vidyarthi, presiding over a single bench, issued the judgment, which was made available on the court’s website on Monday. The court criticized the CJM’s order, highlighting its legal deficiencies and declaring it an abuse of the legal process. Consequently, the high court intervened using its revisional powers to annul the CJM Barabanki’s February 17, 2021, directive.
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“The continuance of prosecution on the basis of such an order would clearly be an abuse of the process of law warranting interference by this court in exercise of its revisional powers,” observed the court.
“The CJM Barabanki’s February 17, 2021 order is set aside,” the court added.
During the court proceedings, evidence presented by village panchayat secretary Beena showcased digital records for each toilet and their corresponding beneficiaries. This evidence confirmed the completion of all the toilets, undermining the basis for the allegations against Rupam and Chaturvedi.
