Syndicate Bank case: Totlani sent to CBI custody till Sept 20

Alleged middleman Purshottam Totlani, who surrendered yesterday after evading arrest in connection with a bribery case in which Syndicate Bank CMD S K Jain is also an accused, was today remanded in CBI's custody till September 20 by a Delhi court.
He was produced before special CBI judge Swarana Kanta Sharma after expiry of his police custody and the agency sought his further custodial interrogation saying that the probe into the case was going on.
CBI alleged that Totlani was involved in the conspiracy and his interrogation was required to ascertain the truth.
The court allowed the contentions of the CBI and remanded Totlani in its custody till September 20.

Totlani had earlier filed an anticipatory bail plea in the court which was dismissed on the ground that his custodial interrogation was required to unearth the entire conspiracy and to know about the trail of the alleged bribe.
The court had also observed that Totlani had moved the anticipatory bail plea only after proceedings under section 82 of CrPC (proclamation for person absconding) was initiated against him and despite issuance of non-bailable warrant against him twice, he had not joined the investigation.

CBI prosecutor had yesterday argued before the court that there was enough incriminating evidence to connect Totlani with the case and the intercepted conversation shows his role in the conspiracy.

During the day's hearing, the court fixed September 25 for hearing arguments on the bail plea of arrested co-accused Pankaj Bansal.
The court had yesterday heard arguments on the bail plea of Bhushan Steel Ltd Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Singal, who is also an accused in the case.