Cash-for-votes scam accused Sanjeev Saxena was remanded in three-day police custody by a court here on Monday.
The scam rocked Parliament on July 22, 2008 during the debate on a crucial vote of confidence sought by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government. Three BJP MPs waved wads of currency notes amid charges of vote-buying.
Surprisingly, Mr. Saxena — who allegedly worked as the former Samajwadi Party leader, Amar Singh's secretary when the scam took place — was not represented by an advocate, forcing Special Judge Sangeeta Dhingra Sehgal to request for the services of a Legal Aid Counsel.
In their remand application, the Delhi Police alluded to the allegations made by the former BJP member of the 14th Lok Sabha, Faggan Singh Kulaste, that “Amar Singh introduced Sanjeev Saxena to him and BJP MP Ashok Argal as his secretary on July 22, 2008.”
Police said that during investigation, sufficient evidence pointed to Mr. Saxena delivering Rs.1 crore to the three BJP MPs. But he “was giving contradictory statements to mislead the investigation.”
Police alleged that Mr. Saxena also made “misleading statements” during the inquiry by the Parliamentary Committee.
“In view of misleading statements, his arrest and [the] need for sustained custodial interrogation became necessary” to unearth a “deep-rooted conspiracy,” the Crime Branch said.
Police told Ms. Sehgal that the interrogation of Mr. Saxena would focus on: discovering the source of the money; uncovering the whereabouts of Mr. Amar Singh's driver, Sanjay, who was named by the MPs as having accompanied Mr. Saxena when he went to deliver the cash; and recovering a mobile phone used by Mr. Saxena to facilitate conversation between the three BJP MPs and Mr. Amar Singh after the money was delivered.
The statements of the two former BJP MPs, Mahavir Bhagora and Mr. Kulaste, were recorded under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The police said they are yet to record Mr. Argal's statement as he is a sitting MP.
Reprimanded by the Supreme Court last week on the tardy pace of investigation, the Crime Branch moved quickly to arrest Mr. Saxena on Sunday.
Keywords: cash-for-vote scam, Sanjeev Saxena, police custody, Delhi Court
This is a glaring case which shows why judicial activism has become necessary for correcting and building a healthy society for which the judicial system is created and maintained to step in. In this context it is remarkable to ponder if a M.P has a blanket coverup/immunity and or protection requiring a clearance for a criminal action for his illegal action which are unconnected with the duty and responsibility as a M.P ?
Every sensible man would agree with the views expressed by Mr.Vicky above .Government servants are now very highly paid with no accountability whatsoever unless one at the top catches him up and takes to task. It is appeal like request to the nation to think about.
These are small fry a mere distraction.The beneficiaries are USA and G8 countries. They will dump untested , under development nuclear equipment on India and make huge profits. Manmohan played the facilitator. Ambani was rewarded with access to PF funds. Clean Manmohan was supported by all vested interests. This is plunder.
Who is this Mr. Saxena? Is he just a delivery man used by the higher ups (Amar Singh), or is one who has gained from these multi-crore rupee dealings? Is he another 'babu' being shunned in front of the cameras so that the true sinister culprits can make more calculated moves till once again, a corruption case rides the storm, and the fad is over?
It now is almost certain that the CBI fast-forwards its investigation only when any court is after them to do so. Can the CBI explain why this action could not have been undertaken when the case was handed over to them ? And now the Government is talking of judicial over-reach when the Government and its executives are failing to do their basic duties.
What about the main character in this whole episode, Mr. Amar Singh? When is he going to be questioned and arrested (possibily) for his involvement?
If Sanjeev Saxena had handed over a huge some of money to 3 BJP MP's, it could not have been for altruistic reasons. Was it a bribe to make them vote in favour of the confidence motion? If so, the then government headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would have been the beneficiary. Isn't it therefore necessary for the investigating agency to find out what the possible final beneficiary has to say about this? Has the Delhi police found out anything in this area? Hadn't Mr.Amar Singh any role in this other than introducing Mr.Saxena to the MPs? Perhaps I am wasting my time as well as this website's space by asking such questions!
Were it not for the Supreme Court this case would have been forgotten like many others of the past. The Law enforcing machinery is not independent and is controlled by the ruling dispensation.
We should not expect the supreme court action for every acts.I don't know what the CBI was doing for all these years.The present congress governmnet has only spokepersons and no concrete action because they are the culprit
Rich become richer and these people suck every paisa from a regular middle class average tax payer. It's a shame that these are my country men. Justice will be served by god once they die, as I don't trust the judiciary system as well. Who is there to be trusted.India is a rich country with poor people, Go ahead mr saxena suck every paisa. You can't take the money when you die, but we will definitely make sure u take the shame.
It is essential and important that Ms.Sonia and De.Manmohanji need to ensure no foreign govt or foreign institutions were at the bottom of this conspiracy to dislodge an honourably elected Indian Govt. It might be understandable for ordinary citizens like me if BJP or some other domestic political parties were involved for obvious reasons and Indian legal system might take care of it after the enquiries but if a foreign hand were there the matter will be too serious. Hope Prime Minister would take this view point and put up to the nation either ways.
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