New Delhi:
Former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan has approached the Delhi Police seeking investigation into circulation of a CD purportedly having his conversations with political leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh, alleging they were fabricated.
Bhushan, who is the co-chairman of the joint drafting committee on Lokpal Bill, alleged that a journalist approached him for his comments for a news story on the CD which purpotedly had his conversations with the leaders.
After he filed a complaint, Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said investigators have filed a case under section 469 of Indian Penal Code (forgery for the purpose of harming reputation).
"(The journalist) showed me one CD purportedly having recorded conversation between me, Amar Singh and Mulayam Singh Yadav over telephone. The said journalist told me that the said CD has been delivered at (his) office anonymously.
"The said CD is clearly a fabricated CD as I have never had any conversation with the afore-named persons. The contents of the said conversation are defamatory in nature. It appears that the said CD has been fabricated in order to malign me," he said in the complaint.
Bhushan claimed that this was clearly an offence of forgery under Section 469 of IPC which is a cognizable offence.
"Further, it is apparent that several persons are involved in this fabrication and therefore, it is a clear case of conspiracy also under Section 120 B of IPC. This is a very serious matter which needs to be investigated immediately," the former Law Minister said.
His son and known lawyer Prashant Bhushan said it appeared to be an organised campaign against them in the backdrop of their involvement with Jan Lokpal Bill.
Bhushan claimed that the CD was fabricated and a forensic examination will prove it. "We have filed a complaint with Delhi Police. They have registered a case," he said.
The junior Bhushan said his father had met Mulayam Singh Yadav but denied meeting or talking to Amar Singh.
Amar Singh also denied the allegation and claimed the CD was doctored.
Amar Singh said, "This is not a new tape. This is not a new incident. This is a selective leak at a selective time. In my eyes it is faker. I respect Shanti Bhushan. I am not blaming him. I dont play with law," he said.
In a statement, Shanti Bhushan said the circulation of the CD to sections of media was shocking.
"It is clearly fabricated, since I have never spoken to Amar Singh... to go to such lengths shows the desperation of these people to discredit the members of the committee and derail the bill," he said.