Sahara Diaries case: Relief for Modi as SC dismisses petition seeking a court-monitored probe into alleged bribe

The Supreme Court on Wednesday while hearing the Sahara diaries case dismissed the petition filed by Prashant Bhushan seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged bribe by former Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit names came up from corporate houses.

The Supreme Court while dismissing the plea, said that there was no conclusive evidence in it to order for an inquiry.

The apex court also said that it isn't doubting the integrity of settlement commission order but examining integrity of such diaries. 

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi representing the government said that there is no concrete evidences that prove that former Gujarat Chief Minister was paid by corporate houses.

The AG further said that no one in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence.

Petitioner's lawyer Prashant Bhushan told Supreme Court there was evidence to prove public officials were allegedly paid and probe must be ordered. 

Reacting to Supreme Court verdict, Bhushan who appeared for the NGO Common Cause in the case, said "the judgement will leave a cloud of suspicion over all the persons mentioned in some documents. The cloud could have dissipated had there been an independent investigation into the documents."

The "Sahara diaries" -- a collection of papers and print-outs found in raids on the Sahara offices in 2014 -- reportedly carried names of politicians from different parties, along with amounts paid to them as bribes. The list includes the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he was Gujarat Chief Minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit.  

The Supreme Court was hearing the Sahara Diaries case that involved alleged bribes paid to top politicians.  

The bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Amitava Roy in Supreme Court heared the case on Wednesday.   

It is worth to mention here that lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan filed a fresh affidavit in the Apex Court.

Prashant Bhushan pleaded in court for a court-monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team into the Sahara Diaries case.

On November 14, 2016 Supreme Court said that there was 'zero material' to order a probe. After which Prashant Bhushan filed fresh papers to substantiate the allegations.

Also Read | Sahara diaries: Why PM Modi is shying away from independent probe, asks Sheila Dikshit