New Delhi, Feb 22 - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a fresh FIR against retired judge of the Allahabad High Court, Justice SN Shukla, and his wife, Suchita Tiwari, for their alleged involvement in a corruption case and amassing assets worth over Rs 2.54 crore disproportionate to their known sources of income.
Officials of the CBI searched Justice Shukla's premises in Lucknow and Amethi and various documents relating to financial transactions were seized. According to the CBI FIR, assets and wealth worth Rs 2,54,56,786 were amassed during his tenure as the judge of the Allahabad High Court from 2014 to 2019.
The CBI has alleged that Justice Shukla, being a public servant in the capacity of Justice of the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow Bench, had intentionally enriched himself illicitly and acquired assets by corrupt and illegal means in the name of his wife and others. This is the second corruption case against the former judge. The CBI had registered a corruption case on December 4, 2019, against Justice Shukla, along with Justice IM Quddusi, retired Chhattisgarh High Court judge, and four others for obtaining an order in favour of a Lucknow-based medical college allegedly in lieu of money.
The former judge had faced an in-house probe by the Supreme Court, which had revealed gross misconduct on his part. The then Chief Justice of India, Justice Dipak Misra, had recommended his impeachment in 2018, but he wasn't impeached even though Justice Misra's successor Justice Ranjan Gogoi followed it up with the Central Government. Justice Shukla retired in July 2020.
The CBI's latest move against the ex-judge shows that the country's law enforcement agencies are not sparing even the high and mighty, who were once considered untouchable. It also underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the judiciary and the need for stringent action against those who abuse their position of power for personal gain.
Justice Shukla's case is a stark reminder that no one is above the law, and the wheels of justice will continue to move forward to ensure that those who indulge in corrupt practices are brought to justice. The CBI's swift action against the former judge should serve as a warning to others who might be tempted to use their positions of power for personal gain.
(Inputs from www.tribuneindia.com)