MP booked for fraudulent LTC claims

The CBI Friday registered a case against a Rajya Sabha MP of the Janata Dal-United party for allegedly filing a fraudulent Leave Travel Concession (LTC) claim, using forged air tickets and boarding passes, an official said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code against Anil Kumar Sahani. Searches were carried out at his residence in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and his office.

The CBI also conducted raids at the premises of a travel agent in Delhi and a customer service official of Air India at his office here.

CBI sources said more cases could be registered soon in connection with the LTC scam.

The agency has initiated a preliminary enquiry after receiving a reference from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and seized prima facie evidence of alleged irregularities in filing of LTC claims with the intention to maximise personal benefit by disregarding norms laid down for such claims.

The probing agency also found that the alleged irregularity was effected in collusion with travel agents.