Coming down heavily on the CBI on Tuesday, for its slow pace of probe into the missing files case of the scam-hit Adarsh Housing Society, the Bombay high court has sought a reply from the investigating agency tomorrow.

"This is a very serious matter. There should not be any soft handling. We are not happy with the speed of the investigation and CBI's conduct," a division bench of Justices Ranjana Desai and R V More said.

The court's remarks came after Y P Singh, counsel for petitioner Simpreet Singh pointed out that the four persons arrested by CBI in connection with the Adarsh files gone missing from the urban development department, were granted bail after the agency failed to file its chargesheet within the stipulated 60-day period.

"Who are the officers in-charge for the case? Name them.

We will take appropriate action against them. This should not have happened. Why could you not file a chargesheet in time?" Justice Desai questioned.

The court further remarked that CBI has arrested the "small people" in the case but has to also look into the role of "higher officials".

Asking the CBI to speed up the probe, Justice Desai remarked, "The petitioners are right in saying that they have no faith in you (CBI)..We want to ensure that the faith placed on CBI by the court is not misplaced."

Singh further pointed out to the court that CBI is giving preferential treatment to some big personalities like Union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Vilasrao Deshmukh.

"Treat everybody equally irrespective of their status.

Expedite the investigation. You (CBI) cannot be going in your own pace," Justice Desai said.

Additional Solicitor General Darius Khambata, appearing for CBI, submitted a status report to the court in a sealed cover and said the agency is questioning and recording the statements of all persons connected to the scam.

He further said that the Income Tax department is looking into the alleged benami flats and transactions.

The court has directed CBI to file another status report by September 5 on the entire probe into the case.

Simpreet had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the High Court to monitor the CBI investigation in the Adarsh scam.