CMD bribery: CBI Chief orders internal inquiry

New Delhi, Aug 5: CBI Director Ranjit Sinha has ordered an internal inquiry after his team did not arrest Vice Chairman of Bhushan Steel Neeraj Singhal during searches at his residence in the Syndicate Bank bribery case despite his clear instructions to pick him up.

"We have ordered an internal inquiry into non-arrest of Neeraj Singhal by our team," Sinha told reporters here today. When the CBI team reached Singhal's residence here on Friday to carry out searches in connection with alleged bribe of Rs 50 lakh given to Syndicate Bank Chairman cum Managing Director S K Jain, he was present there, CBI sources said.

Despite directions from the CBI Chief, the team returned from his residence without arresting him after giving notice under section 160 of CrPC asking Singhal to appear before the agency on Saturday, they said. The sources said soon after the team left, Singhal allegedly escaped and has not been arrested till now despite repeated attempts by CBI which is hot on his trail.

Singhal has filed an anticipatory bail application in a local court which will come for hearing tomorrow. The sources said following the incident an internal inquiry has been ordered to find out why the orders from CBI Director himself were not followed by the team concerned and that if needed disciplinary action could not be initiated.

Another middleman, a realtor Purushottam Totlani has also not been arrested.

PTI