Journalism of Courage
Making the second arrest in the 2008 ‘cash-for-votes’ scam,Delhi Police today took into custody Suhail Hindustani,who had allegedly acted as a liaison between Amar Singh and BJP MPs sought to be bribed.
Hindustani was arrested under Prevention of Corruption Act after seven hours of grilling by the Crime Branch about his role in the sensational case that rocked the country when the previous UPA government was seeking trust vote.
The probe by Delhi Police,which was slammed by Supreme Court last week for its “callous” approach in this case,is set to be expanded with Amar Singh expected to be questioned soon.
Questioning of BJP MP Ashok Argal,who was allegedly sought to be bribed,and BJP leader L K Advani’s former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni,who had allegedly organised a sting operation to trap the bribe-givers,is also likely take place.
Police had summoned Hindustani for questioning today after it arrested Sanjeev Saxena,once considered close to Singh,for allegedly delivering cash to three BJP MPs.
Before appearing for questioning,Hindustani sought to drag Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the cash-for-vote scam by saying he had got calls from people close to them.
“I received calls from Amar Singh and Ahmed Patel (Political Secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi). Those close to Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) called me and even from 10-Janpath (Gandhi’s residence),” claimed Hindustani to reporters before being questioned.
He,however,did not not identify all those who allegedly called him.
