CBI rejects Balkrishna plea, asks him to appear on Friday

Dehra Dun, Jul 28: Yoga guru Ramdev's aide Balkrishna today (Jul 28) sought 20 days time to appear before the CBI for questioning in a case under the Passport Act, claiming he has applied for a UK visa and his travel document is with that mission.

The agency, however, rejected his plea and asked him to appear without the passport on Friday for questioning, CBI sources said.

The CBI had asked him to present himself for questioning today but sources in the agency said Balkrishna sent a fax in the morning, saying his passport is with the British High Commission for visa purposes and a reply from there was expected after about 20 days.

In his fax, Balkrishna said he was also consulting Supreme Court lawyer Ram Jethmalani and pleaded that any other date after 20 days may be given to him.

He said he came to know about the CBI notice, which was pasted on the ashram gate. The CBI has rejected his plea and asked him to appear without his passport on Friday, Jul 30, they said.

Meanwhile, sources said Balkrishna is likely to move to Uttarakhand High Court to seek anticipatory bail.

The CBI has earlier issued a look-out notice against Balkrishna after registering a case against him under section 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC for procuring fake degree and for violating section 12 of the Indian Passport Act (knowingly furnishing false documents for getting passport).

PTI