SC Dismisses Appeal Against Allahabad HC Order Refusing CBI Probe Into Allegations Of Food Scam Behind the Murder of IAS Officer, Anurag Tiwari [Read Order]

On October 23, the Supreme  Court bench of the Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and Justices A.M.Khanwilkar and D.Y.Chandrachud, dismissed the appeal filed by We The People, Through Its General Secretary, Prince Lenin, against the Allahabad High Court Lucknow Bench's May 25 decision rejecting the plea to direct the CBI to conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegations of food scam behind the murder of the IAS Officer Anurag Tiwari.

A Karnataka Cadre Officer of 2007 batch, Tiwari was found dead in mysterious circumstances on May 17, soon after he celebrated his 36th birthday with batchmates and close friends at the state guest house located at Meerabai Marg, Lucknow.  His body was found on the roadside, 150 metre away from the guest house in the wee hours, when he was on his morning walk.  Initially investigated by the state police, the case was entrusted with CBI by the state Government on June 17.

Tiwari was posted as the Commissioner of Food and Civil Supplies in Bengaluru.  The Viscera report, received by the CBI in September, has confirmed that he was murdered, and suffered multiple injuries, and did not die because of drug overdose, as was believed earlier. Tiwari's family suspects it to be a murder.

The Lucknow  bench of the Allahabad High Court had dismissed Lenin's petition, because he did not enclose any materials to substantiate his claim that Tiwari was engaged to unearth a massive food scam.  Lenin's claim was based on only newspaper clippings, which per se, is not admissible, held the high court.  "It is a sheer misuse of PIL, hence deserves to be dismissed with exemplary cost", the high court held, and imposed a cost of Rs.50000.  "Petitioner shall deposit the said amount with treasury of Lucknow district within three months, failing which, the Collector, Lucknow, shall recover the said amount as arrears of land revenue", the high court had held.

On Monday, the Supreme Court bench, while dismissing Lenin's petition, argued by advocate, A.D.N.Rao, held: "The cost imposed by the High Court is made easy".