Bribery Scam: CBI to question Buta Singh

New Delhi, Aug 1: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources said on Saturday, Aug 1 that they would be questioning National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Chairman and former Union Home Minister Buta Singh in connection with the Rs 1 crore bribery case involving his second son Sarabjot Singh.

Sources said that Sarabjot Singh had told the CBI after his arrest, that he had informed his father about 'settling' the complaint against Nashik civic works contractor Ram Rao Patil, that had been lodged with the National Commission for Scheduled castes.

The CBI has said that they need constitutional sanction to question Buta Singh, and once that is given, they plan to invoke Section 7 and 9 of the Prevention against Corruption Act (PCI) against the former minister.

Sarobjit was arrested on Jul 31 along with Anup Kumar Begi, Madan Singh Solanki and Dhukh Singh Chauhan for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs one crore from Patil to close a case registered against him under the SC/ST Act.

Following which, he was sent to CBI custody till Aug 5 along with three other persons arrested.

On Friday, Buta Singh termed the Central Bureau of Investigation"s (CBI) questioning of his son a political conspiracy against him and members of his family.

"It is a conspiracy against me and members of my family. This is not the first time that I have been targeted. Not just me, my family as well. There are political elements involved in this conspiracy. I know who they are, but I will not name them," said the former Union Home Minister at a press conference here.

Singh said that he was holding a constitutional post, and if it was proved that he had done something illegal, it would be a blot on his over four decade long career in politics which he would never be able to live down.

"Earlier, my elder son was targeted when I was the Governor of Bihar. I approached the CBI in connection with this case and asked them to carry out an investigation. I told them to go ahead and question my son. I have been the Home Minister of the country and I know that the CBI cannot act without someone putting pressure on them. The CBI is being pressured to file a case against my son," claimed Buta Singh

"I am not defending anybody. I will not quit my post during or even after this case is solved. I will seek time with the Prime Minister to discuss this issue," Singh said.

In the wake of his arrest, the opposition has called for Buta Singh"s resignation from the Commission.

Senior BJ leader Gopinath Munde said, "Buta Singh must resign immediately."

According to sources, Patil filed a corruption case on the basis of complaint.

In his complaint, Patil had alleged that Sarabjot had demanded a bribe of Rs.3 crore, which was later brought down to Rs.1 crore, for withdrawal of a case under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, filed against Patil by a group of local conservancy workers employed by him.

ANI