M A I N   N E W S

Middleman held in cash-for-vote scam

New Delhi, July 20
The Delhi police today made the second arrest in the 2008 “cash-for-vote” scam by taking into custody Suhail Hindustani, who had allegedly acted as a liaison between Amar Singh and BJP MPs sought to be bribed.

Hindustani was arrested after seven hours of questioning by the crime branch. Charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act were against him.

The police summoned Hindustani for questioning after it arrested Sanjeev Saxena, once considered close to Amar Singh, for allegedly delivering cash to three BJP MPs.

Appearing for questioning, Hindustani sought to drag Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the cash-for-vote scam by levelling allegations against them and saying he would tell the same to the police.

“I received calls from Amar Singh and Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Those close to the Prime Minister and even from 10 Janpath (Gandhi’s residence) called me,” claimed Hindustani.

He, however, did not identify all those who allegedly called him. Moving ahead with the probe after the Supreme Court slammed it last week, the police is expected to question Amar Singh, former SP leader.

BJP MP Ashok Argal, who is alleged to have been offered Rs 1 crore bribe, and BJP leader LK Advani’s former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni, who had allegedly organised the sting operation, may also be questioned, police sources said. He said Amar Singh told him that he was working on PM’s directions along with Ahmed Patel to save the government. — PTI