CBI all set to file charge sheet in Railway bribery scandal

CBI is likely to file its charge sheet within a week in the Railway bribery scandal allegedly involving former minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's nephew Vijay Singla and the then Railway Board Member Mahesh Kumar.
The agency has concluded its investigation in the case and has sent its file to the Directorate of Prosecution seeking legal opinion on the evidence gathered and charges levelled against the accused, sources said.
According to them, Bansal may not be named as accused in the the first charge sheet filed by the agency but his reference may be made and facts emerging from his interrogation may also form the contents of the charge sheet.

However, they said agency is likely to keep open the probe into the alleged role of Bansal and if it manages to gather evidence linking him with the money trail a supplementary charge sheet would be filed.
CBI sources said they have gathered evidence, a major portion of which contains tapped phone conversations, besides recoveries made from Singla's office and home and also financial transactions of businessman Manjunath who was the alleged middleman in the scam.
They said CBI has concluded the probe and might file charge sheet before July 2 before a special court here.

Bansal had to resign from the Union Cabinet in the aftermath of the case involving his nephew, who is alleged to have been operating from his official residence.

During questioning, he has maintained that he has done no wrong in the appointment of Kumar as member of the Railway Board, a post equivalent to the secretary in government.
Kumar had allegedly paid Rs 90 lakh to Singla for retaining additional charge of General Manager (West) after his promotion as Board Member (Staff). This was allegedly part of Rs 10 crore deal Kumar struck with Singla for his elevation as Member (Electrical) in the Board.