PTI
 
New Delhi, Mar 8:: The Supreme Court on Wednesday accepted the report of the high-powered committee which had indicted Best Bakery case key witness Zaheera Sheikh as "self-condemned liar".

It awarded one year simple imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 fine to Zaheera for contempt of court.

A Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice HK Sema said in case of default of payment of fine Zaheera will undergo further imprisonment of one year.

The court directed the Income Tax authorities to attach the assets and bank accounts of Zaheera.

It also asked the Income Tax authorities to initiate proceedings to ascertain her source of income since year 2000 till Wednesday.

The bank assets have to be attached for three months.

The court said the proceedings against Zaheera will be initiated in accordance with law and directed the Commissioner of Income Tax, Vadodara to take appropriate action.

The Bench left it open to income tax authorities to inquire into the alleged sting operation showing controversial BJP MLA Madhu Srivastava and Congress Corporator Bathu Srivastava talking about payment of money to Zaheera.

The court said the trial court should decide the case without being influenced by the findings of the inquiry officer.