Cong, BJP trade charges over links of Syndicate Bank scam accused

Purushottam Totlani, the middleman in the case, is accused of having links with bigwigs in the ruling party

Ruling BJP and main opposition Congress are trading charges over absconding accused Purushottam Totlani in Syndicate Bank bribery case. Leader of opposition Satyadev Katare today tried to establish links of Totlani with ill-famous Madhya Pradesh Professional Exam Board (MPPEB) scam and repeated his demand for a CBI probe in the scam. He alleged that Totlani might have links with bigwigs in the ruling party as the accused was a known 'hawala' dealer.

Totlani had bailed out former vice-chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Jan Abhiyan Parishad (MPJAP) Ajay Shankar Mehta. "This bail should be immediately cancelled," Katare said here, adding, "and further investigations should be handed over to CBI as Totlani is wanted by CBI in Syndicate Bank scam."

Katare also alleged that "Totlani is a known Hawala dealer and money transactions carried out by him requires CBI probe that would cover Vyapam (MPPEB) scam also."

Mehta was in jail for two months after Special Task Force (STF), arrested him in connection with recruitment of few candidates for the post of police constables.

Totlani allegedly is absconding in Syndicate bribery case as he is alleged to had delivered bribe through other accused Punit Godha, Vineet Godha and Vijay Pahuja to Syndicate Bank MD Sudhir Jain. Jain is also their brother-in-law. All four have been already arrested but Totlani is still absconding.

Meanwhile, ruling BJP alleged that Totlani had links with Vineet Godha, a Congress member. "Why Congress is skipping the fact that Totalani has links with accused of Syndicate Bank scam Vineet Godha and other top leaders of the Congress. The CBI is already is investigating the matter and further probe will reveal who are those leaders who were protecting Totlani and for what reasons."