New Delhi:
Fresh details are emerging about Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's alleged involvement in the bribery scam in his ministry. His nephew Vijay Singla, who has been arrested over bribery allegations, has reportedly told the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) about the meetings between him and Mahesh Kumar, the railway employee who paid a bribe.
Mr Singla has said that the meetings took place at Mr Bansal's house and CBI sources now say that there is "grave suspicion" that the minister could have been in the know. Mr Singla has been arrested for allegedly accepting bribe to organise a plum posting for Mr Kumar.
Mr Bansal is expected to be questioned soon by the CBI.
The CBI arrested Mr Singla and Mr Kumar on May 4, after a two-month investigation that reportedly involved screening over 1000 phone conversations. The CBI sources alleged that Mr Bansal's name was mentioned in several of those conversations.
Mr Singla, the sources said, has maintained during his interrogation that his maternal uncle was not involved in his alleged dealings. However, CBI sources say that Mr Singla used to visit the Rail Bhawan and spend time in the offices of the Private Secretary and Officer on Special Duty to the Railway Minister.
The CBI has alleged that the Rs. 90 lakh seized from Mr Kumar was only part of a Rs. 10-crore payoff that was to have secured for him a posting as member (electrical) on the Railway Board, a position with the power to transfer people and award big contracts. Mr Kumar was a member (staff) of the board, and has now been suspended.
The CBI, sources said, is trying to find out where the money for the alleged bribe came from and who in the Railways was meant to have influenced the posting for Mr Kumar. Appointment as member (electrical) on the railway board requires a recommendation by the Railway Ministry and clearance from the Home Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office.
The minister has reportedly told the Congress leadership, including the Prime Minister, that he has no business links with his nephew. He has also denied any connection with an associate of Mr Singla's, a businessman named Ajay Garg, who surrendered in a Delhi court yesterday.
The government has so far rejected the Opposition's demand that Mr Bansal be sacked, but top Congress sources have said that party president Sonia Gandhi does not favour his continuing in office and has told the party, sources said, that "it is a matter of time." The government is now said to be considering a minor Cabinet reshuffle to drop the two ministers with minimum fuss.