LTC scam: JD(U) MP denies charges; refuses to step down

Patna, Apr 15: With CBI getting nod to prosecute him in the alleged cheating and corruption in the LTC Scam, JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP Anil Sahni today denied the charges and refused to resign.

"It's a conspiracy against me... Why shall I resign on moral ground when I have not done anything wrong," the second term Rajya Sabha member from Nitish Kumar's party told PTI here.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari has given his approval to CBI to prosecute JD(U) MP Anil Sahani against whom the agency had filed a charge sheet for alleged cheating and corruption in LTC Scam.

The Bihar MP is reportedly the first from the Upper House who will be prosecuted by CBI after sanction in this regard was given by the Chairman.

The MP said he would also talk to lawyers to file a defamation suit. Sahni alleged that he fell victim to a "racket" which operated in raising fake bills for LTC for parliamentarians.

"Twice I drew attention of the authorities in 2013 about false bill submitted in my name by racketeers against LTC," he said, defending himself in the controversy. "I invite the probe agency to check my bank accounts in Delhi as well in Patna to ascertain flow of money on this count," he said.

The JD(U) Rajya Sabha member, son of former JD(U) RS MP Madan Sahni, said he would seek time with Chief Minister Kumar, who is now also JD(U) National President, to discuss the issue.

Asked who was "conspiring" against him and for what reason, the JD(U) MP hailing from Muzaffarpur, said he did not know persons behind the conspiracy.

"I might be targeted as I hail from a poor community and have been raising issues concerning dalits and have-nots," the JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP said.

PTI