CBI opposes anticipatory bail plea of TV actor

New Delhi, Aug 11: CBI today opposed the anticipatory bail plea of TV actor Anuj Saxena before a Delhi court in a graft case involving Director General of Corporate Affairs B K Bansal, alleging he played an active role in the commission of the offence.

The agency submitted before Special CBI Judge Gurdeep Singh that Saxena, also the Chief Operating Officer of Elder Pharmaceuticals, had played a direct role in bribing Bansal to ensure that he does not order an SFIO inspection against his firm on charges of illegal collection of Rs 175 crore from 24,000 investors, diversion of funds to companies abroad and not giving returns on time.

Advocate K P Singh, appearing for the probe agency, told the court that the Saxena had played an active role in commission of the offence and CBI had recordings of the phone conversations of the accused persons.

While seeking bail for Saxena, known for roles in soaps "Kkusum" and "Kumkum", senior advocate K K Manan said that his client did not have any direct link with the case and there was only a disclosure statement of a co-accused.

He claimed that CBI had tapped the accused' phone but no incriminating material was found against the actor and that he was ready to join the investigation. The court reserved the order on Saxena's plea for tomorrow.

According to CBI, an FIR was registered against Saxena alleging that his company Elder Pharmaceuticals had bribed Bansal to ensure that he does not order an SFIO inspection on charges against him.

Saxena, who is COO and Chairman-cum Managing Director of the firm, has not been arrested by CBI which has taken into custody Bansal, middleman Vishwadeep Bansal and two more private persons. Bansal is at present out on interim bail granted by the court till August 22 following the alleged suicide by his wife and daughter after his arrest.

PTI