'08 cashscam: Amar Singh, Kulkarni, 3 BJP MPs discharged

In a huge relief to former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, L K Advani's ex-aide Sudheendra Kulkarni and three BJP leaders including two MPs, a Court here today gave a clean chit to them in the 2008 cash-for-vote scam, saying facts on record do not create sufficient grounds for proceeding against them.
While discharging Kulkarni, BJP leaders Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste (sitting MPs), former BJP MP Mahabir Singh Bhagora, and party activist Sohail Hindustani, the court said they had "the intention to expose horse trading" which was corroborated by the fact that currency notes were taken to Parliament House and tabled to be viewed by the entire nation.

However, of the 7 accused, only one, Amar Singh's former aide Sanjeev Saxena was ordered to be proceeded against under section 12 of Prevention of Corruption Act (abetment of offence relating to illegal gratification to a public servant). He was discharged of criminal conspiracy.
The cash-for-vote scam pertains to the BJP MPs displaying wads of currency notes during the July 22, 2008 trust vote in the Lok Sabha after the Left Front withdrew its support to UPA-I government on the issue of Indo-US nuclear deal.
While Singh and Kulkarni spent 49 and 52 days respectively in jail before they were granted bail, Kulaste, Bhagora and Hindustani spent two-three months in jail. Argal was granted anticipatory bail.

"...On study of record on the case and the documents submitted and after hearing the parties, this court has come to an opinion that facts that have emerged on record do not create sufficient grounds for proceeding against Sudheendra Kulkarni, Sohail Hindustani, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Mahabir Singh Bhagora, Amar Singh and Ashok Argal.
"They are accordingly discharged of all the offences," Special Judge Narottam Kaushal said while absolving them of charges of criminal conspiracy and various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.