2 BJP ministers quizzed by CBI in graft case, party cries foul

May 09, 2011 |

Chandigarh

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Two Punjab BJP ministers were today questioned by the CBI in connection with a graft case in which chief parliamentary secretary (CPS), finance, Raj Khurana has been arrested.

Industries and local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia arrived at the CBI office in Sector 30 here at 11.20 AM and remained closeted for about 75 minutes. He was followed by technical education minister Swarna Ram.

Denying any role in the case, Kalia, who is at number three position in the Parkash Singh Badal-led SAD-BJP alliance government in the state, said that he replied to all CBI queries in the case.

"I have replied to all of them. I have no connection with the case," he said at a press conference at the Punjab BJP headquarters.

Backing its ministers, the BJP accused the CBI of acting at the behest of the Congress and said its two leaders will come out clean.

"We do not trust the CBI. It is playing into the hands of the Congress," Punjab BJP President Ashwani Sharma said at the press conference.

Kalra's lawyer K.S. Sukhija said that the Minister will not move for anticipatory bail as there is no direct involvement of the BJP leader.

The CBI had issued notice to the two ministers following the arrest of Khurana and Devinder Singh, an official of registrar, firms & societies and a Chandigarh resident, on Thursday for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 1.5 crores for closing a complaint against an association.

Punjab automobile mechanic association secretary Manpreet Singh had filed the complaint against the duo.

The CBI had booked Khurana alleging that the bribe money was to be handed over through him to Kalia whose name along with that of Swarna Ram cropped up during three recorded conversation involving Devinder and Khurana which were submitted to the court by the CBI.

Kalia said that the CBI officials made him listen to the audio tape of conversation involving Khurana, Devinder and Manpreet.

When asked if he was confronted with Khurana and Devinder, Kalia replied in the negative.

"I have nothing to do with the case. Such files do not come to me. They are handled at the lower level," he said, adding that he had not met Khurana since the case came to light.

Replying to a question, Kalia said that it was the prerogative of the CBI to call him again or not.

"I did not go as an accused. I have not been named as an accused by the CBI," he said.

Kalia said that it was an "open secret" that the CBI is working at the behest of the ruling Congress at the Centre.

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