BJP leader Bangaru Laxman passes away

BJP's ex-President Bangaru Laxman passed away today at the age of 74. 

He was awarded a four year sentence for having accepted a bribe in an expose done by Tehelka in 2001. He was caught while dealing with a fake arms dealer in a bid to recommend them to the defence ministry for a contract to supply thermal binoculars to the Army. He was convicted by a Special CBI Court on 27 April 2012 for taking bribe under Prevention of Corruption Act and was taken into custody. For a complete chronology of events in the Bangaru Laxman's corruption case, click here.

The veteran politician died at at Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad. He is survived by three daughters and a son.

Born in a dalit family in Andhra Pradesh, he joined politics at an early age and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1996. He was also jailed during the Emergency in 1975. His wife Susheela Laxman Bangaru was a BJP member of 14th Lok Sabha and was elected from Jalore constituency in Rajasthan.