HC Orders Probe into Corruption Charges against Jagannath Mishra
Patna: Mar. 7, 2007
Patna High Court, on Wednesday, directed the Bihar government to initiate an investigation into charges of financial irregularities against the ex-chairman of Lalit Narayan Mishra Institute of Management and former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra currently a member of the ruling Janata Dal (U) party.
A division bench comprising Justice Aftab Alam and Justice Rekha Kumari asked the Nitish government to form a committee that would also include representatives from state universities and submit a report of its findings to the Advocate General P. K. Shahi within six weeks.
The court will resume hearing on the issue after eight weeks.
Ganesh Prasad Singh, the lawyer representing two college employees who filed a PIL against Mishra accusing him of massive financial wrongdoing, said the former Chief Minister of Bihar, besides mismanaging the financial aspect of the institute, took advantage of his position by using college properties, including the car and telephone, for personal use.
Mishra also used his influence to appoint his son Nitish Mishra at a higher position at the institute, Singh said.
The defense, in its argument, denied all the charges saying Mishra never abused his power nor misappropriated any fund. The charges are baseless and are politically motivated, said Sadanand Jha, the lawyer representing the JD-U leader.
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