A writ petition has been filed before the Supreme Court against Indian National Congress members, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, seeking a National Investigation Agency probe into a 2008 agreement between the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government headed by the Congress and the Communist Party of China, for exchanging high-level information and for cooperation between them.
The petition filed by Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha and Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Goa Chronicle Savio Rodrigues stated that the agreement in question refers to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 7th August 2007, between INC and the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing for exchanging high-level information and co-operation. Thus, the petition sought for an investigation into the same by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, or, as an alternative, by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“Petitioners firmly believe that the Nation’s security cannot and shouldn’t be compromised by anyone. Therefore, this Writ Petition has been moved under Article 32 of the Constitution of Bharat, which seeks to bring transparency and clarity regarding the agreement signed between the Respondent No. 1 and the Communist Party of China (herein CPC) which is also the de-facto government of the People’s Republic of China (herein China),” stated the petition.
“The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) also provided the two parties with the opportunity to consult each other on important bilateral, regional and international developments” added the petitioner.
On the other hand, journalist Savio Rodrigues contended that the Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have not responded to him, even after he questioned them about the agreement through his newspaper editorial and a Republic TV show hosted by journalist Arnab Goswami.
“Issue an order directing NIA to investigate the said agreement under UAPA”, prayed the petitioners.
