Delhi court accepts CBI’s closure report against former deputy resident commissioner to UT

During investigation, the CBI collected and examined income tax returns and other financial documents. (File Photo)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a closure report in the FIR against Bhartendu Shandilya, a DASS (Delhi Administrative Sub-ordinate Services) officer of the Government of NCT of Delhi, and his wife, Lalita Shandilya, alias Lalita Sharma.

The CBI had registered an FIR under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 109 of the IPC on October 9, 2023, based on source information alleging possession of disproportionate assets from January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2019. At that time, Bhartendu was on deputation as deputy resident commissioner to the Chandigarh Administration. He had joined government service in 2003 and took voluntary retirement on September 11, 2023.

It was alleged that during the period under scrutiny, the accused acquired assets worth approximately Rs 2.21 crore and incurred expenses of about Rs 29.82 lakh against an income of around Rs 1.63 crore, resulting in alleged disproportionate assets of Rs 87.57 lakh (approximately 53.62%). Lalita Shandilya was accused of abetting her husband in acquiring these assets.

Relying on the Supreme Court judgment in Krishnanand Agnihotri v. State of M.P. (AIR 1977 SC 796), which holds that assets below 10% of surplus income do not constitute disproportionate assets, the court of Smita Garg, Special Judge (PC Act), Rouse Avenue District Court, New Delhi, accepted the CBI’s closure report on September 8, 2025.

“Considering the same and in view of the law laid down by the apex court in Krishnanand Agnihotri case, the closure report filed by the CBI is accepted. Case diaries be returned to the IO. The documents collected or seized by CBI in the present case during the course of investigation are directed to be returned to the same persons/agencies from whom they had been collected or seized. IO is directed to take steps in that regard at the earliest,” the court ordered.