Former J

Srinagar, Jan 23 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Organisation (VO) today arrested the driver of former education minister and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Peerzad Mohammad Sayeed who resigned from the ministry after a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) alleged that the Minister took brise from him.

A VO spokesman said in connection with the investigation in the FIR number 2/2008 registered in police station Vigilance organisation, Kashmir, the accused driver Altaf Ahmad Noorani, of Board of School Education (BOSE) was produced before the competent court today.

The court granted four days transit remand in vigilance custody today.

The VO has registered a corruption case against the driver after a written statement made by an MLA, Sangrama in Baramulla Shoaib Nabi Lone was received by the organisation.

In his statement dated January 14, 2008 to the police, Mr Lone has alleged that he had paid a bribe to Altaf Noorani who was attached to Mr Sayeed for clearance of a file pertaining to permission for starting ETT classes.

This statement was received by VO from the Police for action under law.

He said case FIR number 2/2008 P/S VOK U/S 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act read with 161 and 120 B RPC has been registered and investigation taken up.

Mr Lone said he has paid the bribe to the minister through his driver. However, Mr Sayeed, who was also Haj and Aufaq minister, denied the charges and said it was only to defame him.

He said he has resigned to allow inquiry into the case.

UNI BAS YSS BDP RK2006