( 1 ) WE are concerned, in the present petition, with the validity and propriety of order dated 7. 9. 2001 passed by the Special Judge, Tis Hazari, Delhi, in the proceedings initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (for short, 'cbi') and pending before him under Section 120-B read with Sections 193/467/471/342 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as 'ipc' ). Two persons who are arraigned as accused persons in these proceedings are Mr. Ashok Kumar Aggarwal and Mr. Abhishek Verma. The respondent No. 2 had moved a petition on 18. 7. 2000 seeking his pardon. CBI, namely the prosecution, had no objection for grant of pardon to the respondent No. 2. The petitioner herein, who is the co-accused in the said proceedings, however, strenuously opposed the said application. The special Judge, after hearing the parties, passed the impugned order dated 7. 9. 2001 allowing the application and tendering pardon to the respondent No. 2. Feeling aggrieved and visibly upset by this order, the effect of which is to proceed against the petitioner alone, the instant petition is filed by the petitioner challenging this order.

( 2 ) IN the first instance, let me take