( 1 ) SHRI Buta Singh was a member of the Lok Sabha from December 31, 1984 to November 27, 1989 and the Minister of Home Affairs in the Government of India from May 12, 1986 to December 2, 1989. On March 4, 1995 by the orders of a Superintendent of Police CBI SPE ACU (vi) New Delhi a case was registered against him and others under sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and under section 56 read with section 8 of FERRA 1973. Later charge sheet No. l6 dated February 22, 1996 was filed by the CBI before the Court of the Special Judge Delhi. It was against Shri Buta Singh. On March 8, 1996, the learned Special Judge took cognizance of "the offences complained against" and issued summons. The relevant portion of the order runs as under:

"i have gone through the charge sheets, documents and other materials placed on record. After going through the record, I find that there are sufficient grounds for proceeding against all the accused and as such I take cognizance of the offence complained of. In view of the prayer made by the CBI, it is hereby ordered that summons be issued to all the accused persons mentioned in the charge sheet for 14. 3. 1996. Aha