Notice to Centre on Maya plea

By OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi, May 15: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to pass any order on the petition filed by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati seeking quashing of CBI probe against her in disproportionate assets case registered five years ago.

Supreme Court Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan said, "We are not passing any interim order." He issued notices for July 14 to the Centre and CBI after hearing the counsel for the two sides, who traded charges against each other. While senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Ms Mayawati, wanted that the investigating agency should be restrained from filing chargesheet or any report in the case, solicitor-general G.E. Vahanvati vehemently pressed that CBI director be allowed to take a decision to file a report about the probe of the case before the apex court. Mr Salve alleged that entire inquiry was illegal against the UP CM and the case was foisted against her for political reasons. However, Mr Vahanvati contended that the case was registered against her as per the apex court direction and Ms Mayawati had made representations at all levels against the case.