An embattled Buta Singh is fighting off charges of a bribery scandal after the CBI arrested his son Sarabjot for taking Rs 1 crore bribe from a Nashik-based contractor.
A key suspect in the case, Congressman Anup Beghe, said Buta Singh was present at the meeting where the bribe was discussed. However, the former Congressman who is now heading the SC/ST Commission has denied these charges.
"My son's arrest is a conspiracy to damage my entire political career," he said.
This is how the case unfolded:
Former NCP man Ramrao Patil is a Nasik-based contractor who supplies garbage trucks to the municipality. Recently, 80 Dalits accused him of taking loans worth Rs 10 crore against their names without their knowledge.
They complained to Congressman Anup Beghe who organised a meeting between the workers and Buta Singh in Nasik.
According to Patil, when he visited Buta Singh's residence, Sarabjot threatened to lodge a case against him under the Prevention of Atrocities Against SC/ST Act unless he paid Rs 1 crore.
"When I met Sweety Singh in Delhi, he made it clear that his father wanted him to deal with me," Patil said.
Patil lodged a complaint with the CBI and then got the money delivered to Beghe. The CBI arrested Beghe red-handed while delivering the money to Sarabjot's men. Later, Sarabjot was also held.
When contacted, Buta Singh's son said he is being framed.
"We have some information of a possible Hawala transaction in the case. We have to dig further," said Rishiraj Singh, Joint Director, CBI (Western Region).
Neither the of the men making charges against Buta Singh have a clean record. But Buta Singh too was an accused in the JMM Bribery case.
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