Nalco bribery case: Bhatia's custody extended till Mar 10

A Delhi court today allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to subject Ratan Pal Singh Bhatia, a senior official of a private firm, to custodial interrogation till March 10, saying the Nalco bribery case reflected a “deep-rooted conspiracy”. The latter was arrested for allegedly bribing suspended Nalco CMD Abhay Srivastava.

“The facts reveal a deep-rooted conspiracy regarding bribing a top-ranking public servant. Accordingly, I am satisfied the prayer for extension of police custody for accused Bhatia is justified,” special CBI Judge O P Saini said.

An executive of Bhatia Group of Industries, Bhatia allegedly paid Rs 20 lakh as bribe to 'middleman' Bhushan Lal Bajaj for delivering to Srivastava. The former was arrested on February 28.

Ratan Pal Bhatia is the fifth person to be arrested in this case. Nalco CMD A K Srivastava and B L Bajaj will be in CBI custody till March 8. Srivastava’s wife Chandani, Bajaj and his spouse Anita were arrested by CBI on February 25. The agency allegedly recovered about 10 kgs of gold bricks and jewellery valued at around Rs 2.1 crore as also Rs 30 lakh in cash from their possession.