Corruption case: SC refuses to interfere with HC order staying proceedings against DCW chief Maliwal

New Delhi, May 4: Supreme Court has refused to interfere with the Delhi High Court's March 10 order which had stayed the trial court proceedings against Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal in connection with a case of alleged appointment case.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JK Maheshwari sought the Delhi HC to decide the case expeditiously.

"Since the impugned order of March 10 of the Delhi High Court is only an interim order... We are not inclined to interfere with the order at this stage. High Court will consider the contentions from both sides and pass an appropriate order and shall finally decide the matter at the earliest," the bench stated.

The Delhi Police appealed to the Supreme Court against the High Court's ruling halting the trial court's proceedings against Maliwal in the case.

The Delhi High Court ruled that the essential elements of an offence under Section 13(1)(d)ii of the Prevention of Corruption Act was not stated in the chargesheet or in the order framing charges in the case.

In December of last year, the Rouse Avenue Court ordered the filing of proceedings against Maliwal and others for 'prima facie' misusing their official positions to appoint AAP workers to various positions in the women's rights organisation.

The trial court has stated that in addition to Maliwal, former DCW members Promila Gupta, Sarika Chaudhary, and Farheen Malick will face charges.

The charges were framed under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), read with Section 13(1)(d) (criminal misconduct by a public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

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