In yet another judicial snub to the Odisha Government, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected its appeal challenging the June 19 Odisha High Court order quashing the Vigilance case against CRPF DG and former Odisha DGP Prakash Mishra.
The State Government had moved the apex court on August 13 challenging the HC's ruling by filing a special leave petition (SlP) by lawyer on State Government panel Milind Kumar. The case was heard by a Bench consisting of Justices J Chelemeshwar and Abhaya Manohar Sapre on Monday.
It may be pointed out that the State Government, in its FIR, had charged Mishra with favouring some construction materials suppliers during his tenure as the CMD of Odisha Police Housing and Welfare Corporation between 2006-7 and 2009-10..
Mishra had challenged this move in the High Court seeking quashing of the case. The HC not only quashed the case but also went on to pull up the Government. "It's not uncommon that honest and upright officers are victimised by political establishments," said justice SC Parija said in his order.
Holding that there was no prima facie case against Mishra, the High Court had said the Director of Vigilance did not "ensure free and fair investigation before registering a case against the officer".
Mishra in his reaction to the Supreme Court's decision expressed his happiness and thanked people of the State for their support to him. He had earlier stated that he was a victim of the Government's wrath as he during his tenure as the DGP had acted against transaction of money by BJD leaders in the 2014 elections.