Congress dissociates from Sukhram after conviction in graft case

Congress Saturday appeared to dissociate from former Telecom Minister Sukhram who was Saturday awarded five years imprisonment by a Delhi Court in a 1996 bribery case.

"In my opinion, he is not a member of the party. But I will check with the party general secretary in-charge and come out with a full reply to you," was the refrain of party spokesperson Rashid Alvi.

He was asked by reporters whether Sukhram, who had re-joined the party in 2004, is still in Congress or not.

The former Telecom Minister was today awarded five years imprisonment by a Delhi Court after being found guilty of taking Rs three lakhs as bribe to give a lucrative contract to a private firm in 1996.

After the scandal had surfaced, he was expelled from the party. He had also formed his own party in between.