Probe To Be Over By Aug 15: Joginder

The Indian part of the investigations into the Rs 1,000 crore CRB scam would be completed by August 15, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Joginder Singh said here yesterday.

Addressing a press conference at the Police Club, Singh, however, said no time-frame could be fixed for the probe into the overseas ramifications of the scam.

Three months from the date of registration of the case (May 20) is the statutory period for completion of the investigations within the country, but CBI has no control if the probe is required to be conducted abroad, Singh clarified.

Singh, who earlier yesterday chaired a meeting of the special co-ordination committee of various agencies probing the scam at the CBI office here, said the question of issuing a letter rogatory, if any, would be decided in the course of investigations.

Replying to a spate of questions whether CRB group chairman C R Bhansali had stashed funds in banks abroad, about complicity of the State Bank of India officials and the possible involvement of some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Singh categorically stated, It is too premature to comment on these aspects, but I can assure you that every angle is being probed.

CBI still has to find out if funds have been stashed abroad, he said adding though I have spoken to Mr Bhansali, it will hamper investigations to disclose anything at this stage.

The CBI chief reiterated that Bhansali had been in police custody for just three days and it would be asking too much of investigating agencies to make a breakthrough in such a short

span. When asked how the CRB chairman was persuaded to return from Hong Kong, Singh quipped, We asked him to be a good boy and come back.

Recoveries may be made 1,000 kms or 2,000 kms from here and action will be taken if there is any foreign exchange angle, he said replying to a query.

Asked if Bhansali had dropped names of any politicians, Singh said, We will cross-check any such disclosures. I have not been shown any photo album by Bhansali, he said replying to another question.

Singh said the CBI charter in the CRB case was different from other agencies, but the thrust of the co-ordination committee meeting yesterday was to ensure that investigations and recoveries of funds committed to thousands of investors were not delayed due to any technical hitches.

The hour-long meeting was attended by the Gujarat police chief, who is investigating complaints by investors there, besides committee members drawn from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and Maharashtra police.