The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will soon record the statement of Buta Singh, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, in connection with the corruption case against his son. “We have to question Buta Singh by August 24. His statement will be recorded as a witness and not as an accused,” CBI Joint Director (West Zone) Rishiraj Singh said on Thursday.
Mr. Buta Singh’s son Sarobjit Singh was arrested by the agency on July 31 for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs. 3 crore from Nasik-based contractor Ramrao Patil, as payments “to exercise influence on public servants” so as to avoid registering a case and referring it to the probe agency.
Though it was not immediately clear where Mr. Buta Singh would be questioned, sources said it may take place in Delhi.
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Mr. Buta Singh had earlier said in Delhi that the “latest attack [by the CBI] is an attempt to kill my whole political life and my political future.”
Mr. Patil had allegedly taken a loan of around Rs. 10 crore from a cooperative society on behalf of over 100 persons from the Dalit community. He allegedly pocketed the money, following which a case was registered against him.