JOIN USHC puts filing of FIR against Dikshit on hold till Sept 19
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday stayed till September 19 trial court’s order for registration of FIR against Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for alleged misuse of government funds in 2008 Assembly polls.
Justice Sunil Gaur, who had reserved the order on Tuesday on the Delhi Government’s plea seeking quashing of trial court August 31 order, deferred the matter till September 19, saying, “Till then, status quo as of today in respect of FIR in question be maintained”.
The court said the Lokayukta’s May 22, 2013 report is under consideration of the President, therefore, the question of investigation can be addressed after hearing the arguments at length from both the parties.
The HC had on Tuesday asked BJP leader Vijender Gupta and Delhi Police Commissioner to respond by September 19 to the state government’s plea against the trial court’s order for lodging an FIR against Dikshit and other officers for alleged misuse of public funds in an advertisement campaign ahead of 2008 Assembly polls.
Additional Solicitor General Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Delhi government, had contended that Gupta, while filing the complaint against CM and seeking registration of FIR, has relied only on Lokayukta report otherwise there is no material against her and the officers directly. Opposing the plea, Gupta’s counsel had questioned the locus standi of the government, saying the Chief Minister was not here and how the state was affected by the trial court’s order.
The special court had on August 31 directed the Delhi Police to file an FIR against Dikshit for alleged criminal breach of trust (section 409 IPC), criminal misappropriation of public funds and criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act.