The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Commissioner of Police of Gautam Buddh Nagar to grant adequate and effective protection to journalist Jaskaran Singh Chawla, who was investigating a corporate fraud and has claimed he is being stalked and attacked.
Chawla wrote and filed cases against Amtek Auto Limited for bank loan fraud of more than Rs.13,000 crore by cheating 27 banks and illegalities in insolvency procedures and acquiring company through benamis.
A bench headed by Chief Justice UU Lalit passed the order after it was informed that despite the apex court's October 12 order, no protection has been granted to the journalist yet.
On October 12, Attorney General R Venkataramani assured security to the journalist. Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai mentioned the matter before the bench and said that despite the order no protection has been granted to the journalist who lives in Noida.
The advocates appearing for Uttar Pradesh told the bench if appropriate directions are issued to the Commissioner of Police of Gautam Buddh Nagar, adequate and effective steps shall immediately be undertaken.
"We, therefore, direct the Commissioner of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh to grant adequate and effective police protection to the person concerned, whose name will be evident from the documents placed in the sealed cover," the bench said on Tuesday.
Chawla approached the Supreme Court seeking CBI, ED, SFIO probe against Amtek Auto Limited and their subsidiary companies for defrauding Rs.13,000 crore from 27 banks. He also said that the company made violations in the insolvency process and acquired the company again through benamis.