The Supreme Court docket on Wednesday ordered the copy of an affidavit, filed earlier than it in a sealed cowl by an investigative journalist probing a company fraud and claiming he was being stalked and attacked, to be despatched to the workplace of the Legal professional Normal so steps may very well be taken for his security.
The problem cropped up earlier than a bench headed by Chief Justice U U Lalit whereas it was listening to a plea associated to an organization which allegedly took loans from 27 banks and siphoned off the cash.
Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, showing for the petitioner, positioned earlier than the bench an affidavit in a sealed cowl and stated the journalist has investigated the company fraud and is now dealing with threats. He stated the person was additionally attacked on his manner house in Noida.
The bench informed Legal professional Normal R Venkataramani, who was current within the court docket, that there’s an allegation a couple of specific company fraud being seemed into by a sure set of individuals, together with investigative journalists, and one of many scribes has now filed an affidavit saying he’s being adopted and watched.
The bench, additionally comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi and S R Bhat, apprehended the non-public security of the journalist could also be compromised.
“We can’t disclose the identify of that gentleman within the type of an order as a result of we don’t want it to be identified….,” the bench stated, including it’ll ahead a replica of the affidavit to the workplace of the Legal professional Normal.
“You utilize your workplace and see to it that the person is supplied safety,” the bench orally stated.
The apex court docket stated the Legal professional Normal has assured it that the matter might be seemed into and enough and efficient steps shall be taken to make sure private security of the particular person involved and his household.
On the outset, the bench was knowledgeable by the petitioner’s counsel concerning the firm having taken loans from 27 banks and a forensic audit report indicating the cash was swindled.
“I need to place one thing in sealed cowl,” the lawyer stated, including, “it’s one thing essential”.
Noting that the journalist is fearing for his life, he urged the bench {that a} senior counsel be appointed to help the court docket as an amicus curiae within the matter.
“….as a result of it isn’t simply Rs 12,700 crore relating to at least one entity, there are two extra entities which had been additionally publicly listed and comparable modus operandi have been adopted in these entities as properly and one other Rs 12,500 crores have been siphoned via these two entities. So, complete of roughly Rs 25,000 crore has been siphoned,” the lawyer claimed.
The bench, whereas appointing a senior advocate as an amicus curiae, posted the matter for listening to on November 3.