In a big relief to the BJP, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to admit a plea by the Opposition, alleging misuse of central probe agencies. The petition was filed by 14 parties led by the Congress.
The petition alleged "arbitrary use" of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against political opponents by the BJP-led Centre. The Opposition parties withdrew their plea from the Supreme Court after the top court refused to entertain the plea.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala said that political leaders do not enjoy any immunity higher than common citizens. "So someone collects crores from common pensioners, no payment made and so multiple FIRs are filed...and the case comes here. Can we say that there can be no arrest here? Once we accept that political leaders are absolutely on the same footing as common citizens with no higher immunity...then how can we say there can be no arrests unless there is a three-pronged test which is satisfied," the top court said.
Reacting to the move, BJP leaders hailed the apex court and took potshots at the Opposition. Here's what they said:
BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda said accused the Opposition of indulging in a habit of repeatedly accusing the independent agencies of India. "The whole country is watching the exploits of the people of the opposition. All those involved in corruption cases are making false allegations by uniting on a common platform. Today, the comment of the Supreme Court is going to show the mirror to all of them," he tweeted in Hindi.
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur said the corrupt had been exposed by the Supreme Court. "All the corrupt people tried to come on one platform. The reality has come out in the open and they have been exposed," Thakur was quoted as saying by news agency . "Instead of joining the probe, they resort to excuses and delay the cases. Investigating agencies have the right to probe those who have indulged in corruption," the senior BJP leader was quoted as saying.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, too, made a jibe, saying: "The corrupt have united against honest Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is clear now who has justice, honesty, truth, and law on its side." "If any dishonest leader has this misconception that they will get away with doing corruption, then they should know that it is not possible under the Modi government. You will go to jail and your illicit assets will be seized," Bhatia was quoted as saying by PTI.