Probe into LTC scam based on frivolous complaint: Pathak

Bahujan Samaj Party Rajya Sabha member Brajesh Pathak, against whom the CBI has registered a case for allegedly filing fake inflated bills of air travels for claiming reimbursement, today claimed innocence saying the probe is based on a frivolous complaint.
He, however, said he will cooperate with the investigators so that he can come clean.
"CBI officials came to my residence at 8 AM. I informed them that I am not entitled for LTA. I handed them over files relating to my travel...I will cooperate so that the truth can come out. It is a frivolous complaint," Pathak told PTI.

He said he had been making payments to his travel agent by cheque and the details have been submitted to CBI.
Besides Pathak, cases have been registered against D Bandopadhyay of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Lalhmingliana of Mizo National Front -- all sitting MPs -- for allegedly submitting fake bills.
Former Rajya Sabha members JPN Singh (BJP), Mahmood A Madani (Rashtriya Lok Dal) and Renu Pradhan (Biju Janata Dal) too have been named as accused.

According to CBI spokesperson Kanchan Prasad, the MPs allegedly claimed full payment on companion air tickets from Rajya Sabha Secretariat using fake e-tickets.
The sources said MPs booked their tickets under an Air India promotional scheme where full fare economy class ticket passengers were entitled to have one ticket for their companion on nominal rates but submitted e-tickets of full fare for claiming reimbursement.

They said the difference of fare on companion ticket allegedly was a benefit to the concerned MP.