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Orders Probe Into Advocates Over Alleged Extortion Racket Involving Forged
The has unearthed a systemic abuse of judicial processes, uncovering a scheme where legal petitions were allegedly weaponized to extort money from property owners. During proceedings presided over by Justice Mini Pushkarna, it was revealed that () and were filed under the guise of challenging to intimidate individuals into financial settlements.
The Genesis of the Scam
The scandal came to light during the hearing of three connected regarding alleged unauthorized constructions in South Delhi’s Panchsheel Vihar, Shekh Sarai, and Khidki Village. While the petitions sought action against property owners, the Court’s attention was drawn to a by the Station House Officer (SHO) of . This report suggested a calculated nexus between specific individuals and legal professionals intended to manipulate Court mandates for personal gain.
The gravity of the situation was highlighted by the testimony of Narayan Kumar Kashyap, who had initially signed an original PIL but claimed his identity was subsequently hijacked. Mr. Kashyap alleged that his signatures were forged on later and , asserting that he was completely unaware of the legal maneuvers carried out in his name.
Key Observations
The Court took a stern view of these developments, noting that the was being exploited to pressure citizens through the threat of property demolition. Justice Mini Pushkarna remarked:
"Very shocking facts have been revealed to this Court, which show that a scam is being run by a set of people, wherein, they file petitions for the purpose of extorting money from the people, in whose properties, some is existing."
Further condemning the manipulation of the legal system, the Court stated:
"Perusal of the aforesaid clearly shows a nexus amongst different persons, for the purposes of misusing the process of the Court by obtaining orders for demolition of the properties, and then approaching their owners, in order to take extort money from them."
Highlighting the scope of the abuse, the Bench observed:
"The court is being misused and abused for the purpose of exerting pressure on the owners of the properties wherein unauthorised construction exists, in order to extort money and earning money in an illegal manner."
A Multi-Agency Investigation
In response to these findings, the has directed a comprehensive investigation. The Court has referred the matter to the to conduct an inquiry into the professional conduct of advocates and . Additionally, the has been mandated to initiate proceedings, including the registration of an if evidence warrants, to address the alleged extortion scheme.
The Court’s ruling ensures that the investigation will not be limited to those currently identified; if police uncover a wider network, all involved parties will face . By disposing of the petitions with these strict directives, the High Court has sent a strong message against the , emphasizing that those who seek to profit from the manipulation of court processes will face rigorous, independent investigation.
