‘Unheard in law’: SC on 2008 Congress-Communist Party of China MoU

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New Delhi, August 7: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a petition seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Congress and the Communist Party of China in 2008.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, asked the petitioners to approach the high court first before moving the Supreme Court. The petitioners subsequently proceeded to withdraw the petition, Hindustan Times reported.

“How can a political party enter into an agreement with China. It is unheard in law,” the bench remarked. The petitioners – Shahshak Shekhar Jha, a Delhi-based advocate and Savio Rodrigues, the editor of Goa based online news portal, Goa Chronicle – submitted that the MoU raises concerns regarding national security and should be investigated by the NIA for offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) or the CBI.

Senior counsel Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the petitioners, submitted that there are sinister motives behind the agreement and it should be brought out in public domain. He also asked for permission to amend the petition. The court, however, asked the petitioners why they have not approached the high court first.

“The case involves issues relating to national security,” Jethmalani replied.

Responding to it, the bench said that is not a bar to file the petition before the high court.

The petitioners had alleged that the Congress had signed the MoU when it was leading a coalition government at the centre and it also failed to disclose the facts and details of the agreement to the public.

“Petitioner No. 2 (Savio Rodrigues) had demanded the respondents to make the said MoU public, however no heed was shown in that respect which shows the malafide intention of the Respondents (Congress party and its leaders)”, the petition stated.

Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have also been made party to the case apart from the Congress party. “Issue an order directing NIA to investigate the said agreement under UAPA”, it was prayed by the petitioners.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/unheard-in-law-sc-on-plea-for-probing-congress-china-mou-of-2008/story-4MY2oDIFplh5LNr9uvHVTJ.html

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