New Delhi, July 20 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the STF to take "appropriate steps" under the Code of Criminal Procedure against Vyapam accused so that they may not take advantage of delayed action and seek bail.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice H.L. Dattu said: "In the meanwhile STF will take appropriate proceedings against persons mentioned in memo in accordance with the code of criminal procedure."

The court order came on an application by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking modification of its July 13 order by which it had handed over the Vyapam investigation to the agency, seeking that the Special Investigation Team/Special Task Force which had been investigating the matter may be permitted to file chargesheets in the cases as it would take some time before the transfer of Vyapam case records to it.

Appearing for CBI, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the court that the intervening period should not be allowed to be taken advantage by the accused whose remand is coming to an end, seeking default bail in the absence of chargesheet being filed within 90 days of their arrest or their bail application going uncontested.

The Supreme Court on July 13 had handed over the Vyapam investigation to the CBI.