The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the issuance of arrest warrants against the President, Chief Justice of India, an apex court judge and others without there being a case against them.

Also Read Arrest warrants against President, CJI, SC judge

A magistrate in the Meghani Nagar court in Ahmedabad had issued the warrants allegedly on payment of Rs 40,000 in a sting operation by a television journalist.

The latter's counsel, however, advised him against broadcasting the video tape and suggested he file a public interest litigation.

After viewing the tape on Thursday, a bench comprising Chief Justice V N Khare, Justice S B Sinha and Justice S H Kapadia ordered the CBI to probe the bribery allegation and report back within a week. The next hearing has been fixed for February 6.

The apex court has issued a number of notices in connection with the case. They are addressed to the Centre, the Gujarat government, the Gujarat high court, the 'erring' metropolitan magistrate Brahm Bhatt, Suresh Jethalal Sanghvi, who purportedly filed the complaint on the basis of which the warrants were issued, and three advocates - Iqbal Katia, Narender Chaudhary and Harish Bhawaniwala - who acted as middlemen between the complainant and the magistrate.

Meanwhile, it said the Gujarat high court may take any action, in this matter, it deems fit.