Supreme Court Rejects CBI Bid to Open Probe in Jharkhand Assembly Appointments Case

The bench held the agency’s plea not maintainable, leaving the stay on the High Court’s CBI order in place.

Overview

A bench of CJI B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran dismissed the CBI’s interlocutory application, confirming no probe will begin at this stage.
The court asked why central investigative machinery is used for “political battles,” directing sharp remarks at the agency during the hearing.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, for the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha, argued the move was politically motivated and unnecessary given the existing stay.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju said serious irregularities warranted a preliminary inquiry, but the court declined permission.
The 2024 High Court order for a preliminary CBI inquiry remains stayed, and the SLP titled THE JHARKHAND VIDHAN SABHA v. SHIV SHANKAR SHARMA (SLP(C) No. 26367/2024) continues before the Supreme Court.