Ramdev's aide Balkrishna skips CBI questioning

Dehra Dun, Aug 4: Yoga Guru Ramdev's aide Balkrishna did not turn up before the CBI today (Aug 4) for questioning, saying he had to collect his passport and submit it to the Uttarakhand High Court.

Balkrishna, who appeared before the CBI here on Wednesday, sent a fax to officials here saying he has to be deposit his travel document tomorrow as per the High Court's order and he is busy trying to collect it.

However, he did not specify as to from where he was trying to get his passport. Balkrishna had earlier claimed he had deposited his passport in the British High Commission to get a visa.

Balkrishna had skirted key queries posed by the CBI in connection with a case of allegedly using fake educational degrees for procuring the passport.

CBI sources claimed that Balkrishna was evasive on vital questions relating to the case, prompting the agency to summon him again today. He was also asked to bring details of his antecedents along with original documents.

Balkrishna appeared before the CBI in compliance with an order of the Uttarakhand High Court order which had stayed his arrest till August 29 but directed him to appear before the CBI.

While staying the arrest of Balkrishna, the state high court had on July 29 asked him to co-operate with the CBI in the investigations.

PTI