CBI files charge sheet in LTC scam, JD(U) MP cries foul

CBI today filed a charge sheet against Anil Kumar Sahani, a JD(U) MP from Bihar where polls are underway, and three others in the alleged LTC scam that broke out in 2013 with the probe agency claiming they caused a loss of Rs 23.71 lakh to the exchequer.
Sahani denied the charges against him in connection with the scam that had rocked Rajya Sabha, alleging that this is yet another blatant attempt by the Centre to misuse CBI by filing a "bogus charge sheet" against him at a time when Bihar is in the midst of Assembly elections.
Besides Sahani, whose term in Rajya Sabha ends in April 2018, others named in the CBI charge sheet were Anup Singh Panwar, an employee of Delhi-based Air Cruise Travels Private Limited, N S Nair, then Office Superintendent (Traffic), Air India and Arvind Tiwari, a private person.

The charge sheet was filed in the designated CBI court here under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code which included criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and abuse of official position.
Sahani, who is a second time MP, told PTI over phone from Bihar that it was a "political conspiracy" by BJP-led NDA government to malign him.
"I have not taken a single penny. This is yet another blatant attempt of the Centre to misuse of CBI by filing a bogus charge sheet against me at a time when elections in the state are at its peak," Sahani said, when asked for his reaction to CBI action.

During investigation, it was found that Sahani in conspiracy with other persons allegedly used forged e-tickets and fake boarding passes to defraud Rajya Sabha to the tune of Rs 23.71 lakh as travel and dearness allowance reimbursement without performing the actual journey.

Sahani, however, said that he was a "whistle-blower in the case and it was at my instance that the entire investigations had started.
"I have not taken a single penny and I have informed this to the CBI. I have full faith in the legal system and I will challenge the action of the CBI," he said.
CBI had registered a case on October 31, 2013 against Sahani and others on the allegations of claiming reimbursement from Rajya Sabha Secretariat on the basis of forged air tickets and boarding passes in order to cheat the government.

The case was referred to the CBI by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
All Parliamentarians (both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha) get 34 free air tickets in a year for themselves, their family members and associates for domestic travel to their constituencies.