Cong demands detailed investigation into Katara detention

New Delhi, Apr 18 (UNI) The Congress today demanded a detailed criminal investigation into the detention of a BJP member of Parliament along with a woman impersonating as his wife while they were about to board an aircraft to Canada at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons that the action of the Gujarat MP Babu Bhai Katara in taking a woman companion who was using his wife's passport, involved several offences of serious nature like forgery, impersonation and false representation.

In this context, he said one should not forget that Monica Bedi who travelled with underworld don Abu Salem was arrested for not too dissimilar offence.

"The quantum of money that had apparently changed hands to facilitate Mr Katara's passage with his woman companion is also a matter of investigation. Separate investigation is necessary to ascertain whether any immigration racket is going on." Asked if the Congress Party would demand the expulsion of Mr Katara from the Lok Sabha in the light of his detention, Dr Singhvi said "I am not here to prescribe remedies." As far as the crime that Mr Katara had committed, there were several provisions of the Indian Penal Code that could be applied against him, he said.

UNI