NEW DELHI: Anti-graft ombudsman Lokpal on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to complete a probe into the alleged benami properties case linked to JMM chief Shibu Soren within six months.
The Lokpal issued the direction to the CBI while disposing of a complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who represents Jharkhand’s Godda constituency in Lok Sabha, on August 5, 2020, officials said.
The officials said that during the course of hearing the matter, a bench of Lokpal directed the CBI to “carry out the investigation as expeditiously as possible and complete the probe within a period of six months from the date of this order”.
It is learnt that the Lokpal had also asked the CBI to apprise it of the progress in the investigation by way of sending monthly reports to it.
“The first such report is due on or before 30th April, 2024,” a senior official said quoting the order issued on Monday by the division bench of the Lokpal comprising Justice Abhilasha Kumari (judicial member) and Lokpal members Archana Ramasundaram and Mahender Singh.
BJP MP Dubey in his complaint had alleged that Soren and his family members indulged in rampant corruption and amassed huge wealth, assets and properties, disproportionate to their known sources of income.
The MP also alleged that Soren had amassed the wealth by adopting unscrupulous and corrupt means, in his own name and the names of his family members, friends, associates and various companies in various districts of Jharkhand, including Ranchi, Dhanbad and Dumka among others.
In the order, the Lokpal has attached an annexure to the complaint, containing an enumeration of 57 properties, the official said.
“It is alleged that besides these properties, several other properties have also been acquired by the RPS (respondent public servant) and his family members, the details of which can be found upon investigation,” the Lokpal said in its order.
Soren, a Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand, has been referred to as the RPS in the Lokpal’s order.