In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court of India has overturned a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that directed a CBI investigation into a case of alleged impersonation and extortion. The apex court, comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K Vinod Chandran, emphasized that High Courts should not routinely mandate investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) without substantial prima facie material.
The case involved allegations that the accused impersonated an inspector general of the Intelligence Bureau, coercing a Panchkula-based pharmaceutical business owner into transferring Rs 1.49 crore under threats of violence and extortion. The complainant had initially approached the High Court seeking to transfer the probe from state police to the CBI, citing potential collusion with the accused due to personal acquaintances.
The High Court had accepted the plea, leading to an appeal by the accused in the Supreme Court. The apex court criticized the High Court’s decision, noting that the allegations were “vague and bald,” and lacked sufficient evidence to justify a CBI intervention.
Justice Dhulia stated, “The High Courts should direct for CBI investigation only in cases where material prima facie discloses something calling for an investigation by CBI. It should not be done on the basis of vague allegations.” He further added that mere suspicions or ambiguities without concrete evidence are not enough to engage a high-caliber agency like the CBI.
The verdict, delivered on April 2, also highlighted that the local police had already formed a special investigation team chaired by an assistant commissioner of police, indicating adequate attention and resources were being allocated to the case by local authorities.
