The Supreme Court of India has revealed the registration of an FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a case involving the filing of allegedly fraudulent petitions. The case implicates advocates practicing in the Supreme Court of India and the Allahabad High Court, alongside private individuals, in what appears to be a coordinated conspiracy to mislead the judiciary.
The case was heard by a bench comprising Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, who reviewed a CBI report submitted following the court’s earlier directives. The report highlights the systematic use of forgery and false claims in legal proceedings.
Background of the Case
The case stems from criminal appeals (Crl.A. Nos. 3883-3884/2024) filed by Bhagwan Singh against the State of Uttar Pradesh and other respondents. During the hearings, the Supreme Court noticed discrepancies in the documentation and legal submissions. Concerned about possible fraudulent practices, the court directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the matter.
The inquiry led to the registration of FIR No. RC-13(S)/2024/SC-III/ND under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
– Section 120B: Criminal conspiracy.
– Section 205: False personation in judicial proceedings.
– Section 209: Fraudulent claims.
– Section 420: Cheating.
– Sections 465, 466, 468, 471, and 474: Offenses related to forgery.
Findings of the CBI
The CBI report revealed that:
– The accused individuals orchestrated a plan to submit fake petitions supported by forged documents.
– Advocates practicing in the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court were allegedly involved in creating and presenting these false claims.
– The acts were intended to manipulate judicial outcomes and undermine the integrity of legal proceedings.
Court’s Observations
The bench, while taking the CBI report on record, stated, “Fraudulent practices like these threaten the very foundation of justice and cannot be condoned in a democratic society.” The court emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and hold the culprits accountable under the law.
The court clarified that both the CBI and the accused parties have the right to take further recourse as per the legal framework.
The CBI, now tasked with a full investigation, is expected to interrogate the accused and examine evidence to uncover all facets of the alleged conspiracy. The investigation aims to establish accountability and ensure that such acts of forgery and deception are met with stringent legal consequences.
