BJP MP seeks CBI probe into bogus railway bookings scam

New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) A BJP Lok Sabha member from Jabalpur today sought a CBI inquiry into the issue of booking of tickets to different destinations in his name for the last two and a half years.

Talking to mediapersons here, BJP MP Rakesh Singh, referring to reports alleging that he was among the MPs who have been booking tickets for several destinations on the same day, said it should be probed as to how one MP is shown to travel to multiple destinations on the same day when the rules clearly state that for travelling, tickets should be produced along with the identity cards issued by Parliament.

He said he had obtained details from all the Railway Divisions who had stated that there were 170 bookings made in his name whereas he had booked only on 36 occasions. ''I am supposed to have travelled to places like Jalpaigudi, Ratnagiri and Madgaon, where I never have been to in my life, even when I was attending Standing Committee meetings of Parliament or travelling abroad.'' There should be some record of the tickets booked and the authorities should also probe who booked these and why, he demanded.

He said he would not only be raising the issue in Parliament but would also take it up with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and besides moving the court. ''I have written to the Railway Minister to inquire into the issue as there seem to be a big racket operating with the connivance of railway officials to misuse the names of MPs for reservations and travel. Only a CBI probe would help unearth the scam,'' he said.

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