Cash-for-votes: SP's Rewati Raman Singh made accused in case

Samajwadi Party leader Rewati Raman Singh has been made an accused in the 2008 cash-for-votes case by a Delhi Court which observed that there was sufficient material to show that he was part of the alleged criminal conspiracy, despite a clean chit by Delhi Police.

The court, which also issued summons to Singh asking him to appear on November 3, noted that "prima facie it appears that the accused was part and parcel and an important link in the chain of events of the alleged criminal conspiracy".

Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, in her order yesterday, said, "In my considered view there is sufficient material on record to form an opinion that Rewati Raman Singh was part of the alleged criminal conspiracy.

"I take cognisance of the offence under section 120 B (conspiracy) of IPC against Rewati Raman Singh. He be summoned to appear on November 3, 2011 and summons be handed over to IO ACP Rajender Bakshi for effecting service on accused Rewati Raman Singh."

The Delhi police had on October 14 told the court that there was no evidence till now to show Rewati Raman Singh's involvement in the scam.

The court, however, took congnisance of the offence after taking into account the records and the statements made by three co-accused former BJP MPs -- Faggan Singh Kulaste, Mahabir Singh Bhagora and sitting MP Ashok Argal.

"The material placed on record and the signed statement of 3 MPs are sufficient to show Rewati Raman Singh was the person who led the three MPs and arranged a meeting with Amar Singh promising that there interest would be taken care of," the judge said.

Earlier, Public Prosecutor Rajiv Mohan had told the court that on the basis of evidence available on record, it cannot be said that the SP leader was part of the alleged conspiracy to bribe parliamentarians to secure their support during voting on the 2008 trust vote sought by the UPA-I government and so he has not named in the charge sheet.

Mohan had made the submission in response to the court's direction to apprise it of the probe into alleged involvement of Singh in the scam and also spell out its stand on his role.

Regarding defence counsel's allegation that Rewati Raman Singh had met BJP MPs and was in constant touch with them during the trust vote on July 22, 2008, the prosecutor had said meeting BJP MPs was not prohibited.

Rewati Raman Singh was interrogated by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police.