NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday lambasted the Union government on the slow pace of investigation into the black money trail. It ordered a special investigation team (SIT) to track the black money stashed away by the Indian tax-evaders in different foreign banks.
Expressing serious reservations on the Centre's confused approach in handling the black money issue, the apex court tore into the government and converted the government's high-level committee into a court-appointed SIT.
The SIT would now have all powers to prosecute and investigate the black money cases. The team would be headed by Justice Jeevan Reddy as its chairman, while Justice M.B. Shah would be its vice chairman.
The SC passed its orders on the petitions filed by former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani and others on the issue of black money.
The court said that the worries of the court were not merely the quantum of money, but also the manner in which it was taken out and used for unlawful activities against the nation.
The court said that it was worried about the institutional incapacities to deal with the issue.
The court also said the quantum of money in foreign banks is a rough measure of "weakness" and "softness" of the nation.
The court said that it was only upon the insistence of SC that proceedings were initiated against Hasan Ali.
Following Supreme Court decision, the main opposition party has also started tightening the noose around Manmohan government. BJP leader Rajiv Partab said that the SC decision was a slap on the face of the government, as the government has been dragging its feet on this issue.
Interior Minister, Chidambaram after the setting of SIT said that till this time no government official has read the court’s order.
Political analysts said that Wikileaks sword was seen hanging on the Indian politicians, while those facts relating to the stashed away money, which former Swiss Bank officer has passed on to Assange, were yet to come
Expressing serious reservations on the Centre's confused approach in handling the black money issue, the apex court tore into the government and converted the government's high-level committee into a court-appointed SIT.
The SIT would now have all powers to prosecute and investigate the black money cases. The team would be headed by Justice Jeevan Reddy as its chairman, while Justice M.B. Shah would be its vice chairman.
The SC passed its orders on the petitions filed by former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani and others on the issue of black money.
The court said that the worries of the court were not merely the quantum of money, but also the manner in which it was taken out and used for unlawful activities against the nation.
The court said that it was worried about the institutional incapacities to deal with the issue.
The court also said the quantum of money in foreign banks is a rough measure of "weakness" and "softness" of the nation.
The court said that it was only upon the insistence of SC that proceedings were initiated against Hasan Ali.
Following Supreme Court decision, the main opposition party has also started tightening the noose around Manmohan government. BJP leader Rajiv Partab said that the SC decision was a slap on the face of the government, as the government has been dragging its feet on this issue.
Interior Minister, Chidambaram after the setting of SIT said that till this time no government official has read the court’s order.
Political analysts said that Wikileaks sword was seen hanging on the Indian politicians, while those facts relating to the stashed away money, which former Swiss Bank officer has passed on to Assange, were yet to come
Source: The News
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