Raipur trial court accepts EOW-ACB’s closure report, clearing Aman Singh and his wife Yasmin Singh of disproportionate asset charges. The decision, dated April 16, concludes the investigation.
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RAIPUR: Recently, A trial court in Raipur has approved the closure report submitted by the Economic Offences Wing-Anti Corruption Bureau (EOW-ACB) in a case of disproportionate assets involving Aman Singh, the former principal secretary to Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister, Raman Singh. Dated April 16, the court’s ruling signifies a significant development in the protracted legal dispute over the accusations against Aman Singh and his spouse, Yasmin Singh.
The case originated when the previous Congress government, headed by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, was in power in the state. An FIR No 09/2020 was lodged based on claims made by a Right to Information (RTI) activist.
However, after a thorough investigation spanning three years, the state EOW-ACB failed to find any substantial evidence to support the allegations of disproportionate assets against Singh and his wife, as stated in the court order.
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The closure report, filed by the EOW of the state government in December of the previous year, just before the current BJP government assumed office, was finally accepted by the trial court. Consequently, the court has quashed the FIR.
Aman Singh, a former Indian Revenue Service officer, once held a prominent position as the principal secretary to Chief Minister Raman Singh in the BJP-led government in Chhattisgarh. However, he resigned from his service and joined the Adani group in November 2022, marking a significant career transition.
In February 2020, Singh and his wife faced legal proceedings after the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Chhattisgarh lodged an FIR against them for an alleged case of disproportionate assets. Although the Bilaspur High Court had dismissed the FIR two years prior, a subsequent ruling by the Supreme Court in March 2023 overturned this decision.
The Supreme Court overturned the significance of allowing corruption case FIRs to proceed during the investigation stage, especially if they involve officials from previous administrations, thereby highlighting the importance of legal diligence in such matters.
Now, with the trial court accepting the closure report filed by the EOW, the FIR has been officially scrapped, bringing relief to Aman Singh and his wife Yasmin Singh.
Prominent criminal lawyer and Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, who represented the Singhs throughout the legal proceedings, expressed his satisfaction with the court’s decision. He stated that the FIR, filed under the Bhupesh Baghel government, unjustly targeted Aman Singh, an honest officer, and his wife Yasmin Singh, a renowned artist. The couple had to endure numerous trials and tribulations for several years.
Jethmalani added-
“However, their discharge by the court ultimately ensures that justice has been rightfully served.”
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Sunil Kumar, who has worked with both Congress and BJP chief ministers, echoed Jethmalani’s sentiment and highlighted the detrimental impact of political victimization on governance and the morale of public servants. He expressed his concern over the demoralization caused by targeting officers of integrity for political considerations. Kumar emphasized that not everyone possesses the resilience to withstand the personal costs associated with maintaining incorruptibility in public service.
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Despite the politically motivated charges against him, Aman Singh fully cooperated with the subsequent investigation. His cooperation, coupled with the lack of evidence supporting the allegations of disproportionate assets, ultimately led to his vindication and that of his wife.
