PIL In Allahabad High Court Seeking CBI/Judicial Inquiry Into Alleged Corruption And Embezzlement Of Funds In CRPF Withdrawn

Recently, a public interest litigation was filed before the Allahabad High Court seeking inquiry by Central Bueau of Investigation and/ or by the judiciary in alleged corruption and embezzlement of funds in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Petitioner, serving in the CRPF, approached the High Court alleging that no action was being taken by the Government of India, Director General, CRPF and Chief Vigilance officer/Inspector General (Pers), CRPF against the rampant corruption in the Force.

In the petition, it has been alleged that though vouchers were being send for obtaining sandbags, they were not received on the ground, thereby causing deficiency of sandbags which are essential for the protection of the CRPF Personnel. It has been stated that the sandbags are used to make sentry post (Morcha), which protect the sentry from enemy fires and attacks. In absence of sand bags, proper and protective sentry post could not had made, resultantly sentry was exposed to enemy and in case of enemy attack /fire he would have not saved himself.

It was contended in the petition that the petitioner had brought before the appropriate authorities the misappropriation, however no action was taken against the concerned officers. Instead, the petitioner was awarded ‘DG’s Displeasure’.

Petitioner relied on Rule 35(i) of the CRPF Rules, 1955 which provides that if loss of government property is more than Rs 500 then a Court of Inquiry (COI) be conducted. Further, reliance was placed on Rule 34 of GFR- 2005 Rules (Applicable at that time) which provide that if corruption in the department is beyond Rs. 10,000/-, it is mandatory that case be reported to police for investigation and F.I.R. should be lodged in that corruption. It has been contended that no action has been taken under the said rules.

It was further alleged that though funds were being drawn for renovations, diesel, and other supplies for the CRPF Personnel, they were not being utilized for the said purposes. Neither the Authorities nor the Government of India paid any heed to the complaints made by the petitioner. Accordingly, the petitioner was left with no remedy but to approach the High Court.

After arguing for some time before the bench comprising of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava, the public interest litigation was withdrawn with liberty to file application before the Magistrate under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C.

Case Title: Prabhat Tripathi And Another v. Union Of India And 6 Others [PIL No.- 2409 of 2023]

Counsel for Petitioner: Hitesh Kumar Mishra

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