In a major development, the state government on Thursday requested the CBI to take over the probe in the murder of additional collector Yashwant Sonawane.
Expecting a fair inquiry into Sonawane’s death, his family as well as Opposition parties had demanded that the case should be handed over to the CBI. Subsequently, the state government has requested the investigation agency to probe the matter.
“Additional chief secretary of the home department Umesh Sarangi has sent the request letter to the CBI director to take over the case,” said a home department official.
A day after the officer was burnt alive, his elder brother Shama Sonawane had said, “We are demanding a CBI probe in order to quicken the investigation process, and to unearth the large scale racket operated by the oil mafias.”
The issue was discussed in a state cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal pressed for a CBI probe, as the Opposition had alleged that the politicos are hand in glove with the oil mafias.
On January 25, Sonawane was returning from Chandwad, when he spotted a truck parked at Sagar Dhaba in the Panewadi area, and found people in the process of stealing kerosene, which would then be used for adulteration.
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Islamic bank gets court nod
Kochi, Feb. 3: The Kerala high court on Thursday cleared the way for setting up the country’s first Islamic bank in this state.
The court nod came after it dismissed two PILs challenging the setting up of an Islamic financial institution in the state on the lines of Islamic banks with the support of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC).
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Ramachandra Menon, said the petitioners could not demonstrate how the impugned government order had the effect of directly promoting a particular religion. The petitions were filed by Janata Party leader S. Subramanian Swamy and Hindu Aikya Vedi. The state justified its stand and contended that the investment was commercial in nature and will not offend the secular principles of the Constitution.
The Company Al Barakh Financial Services, which was registered under the Companies Act, assured the court that funding of financial institution will be in strict adherence to the laws prevailing in the country as well as principles of shariat.
The petitioners complained that the government’s decision was against the secular principles of the Constitution. Dr Swamy’s contention was that Article 27 of Constitution prohibits a state government body, in this case the KSIDC, to engage in ventures like Islamic banking. —PTI