He ruled out his resignation from the NCSC in the wake of the incident.
Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Buta Singh today claimed that the arrest of his son by CBI in an alleged bribery case was a "conspiracy to kill his political future" and ruled out his resignation from the post in the wake of the incident.
Attacking CBI for arresting his son, Sarobjit Singh, Buta Singh said, "CBI can colour anyone's hand and I don't know on whose instigation it is doing this.
"Such attacks have happened on me in past as well. This latest attack is an attempt to kill my whole political life and my political future."
Asked who are behind it, the former home minister said "these are political forces" but refused to name them.
Singh also said he is ready to meet prime minister Manmohan Singh to explain his position. "I am prepared to tell my position before the prime minister. I will seek an appointment and explain him about it," he said.
Coming out strongly in defence of his son Sarobjit, arrested this morning by CBI's anti-corruption bureau for allegedly demanding Rs one crore bribe from a contractor to close a case against him in the NCSC, Singh said, "My son did not see, touch or heard the money."
Asked what steps he would take to protect his son, Singh remarked, "I will not beg from the government." He, however, added that he will not accept the argument that his son was guilty and added, "I will fight for him".
Ruling out his resignation over the incident, the NCSC chairman said, "Question for it does not arise."
To repeated questions whether he will resign on moral grounds, Buta Singh said, "The question for it does not arise because I have not committed any such thing... I don't claim to be a great moralist... Why should I quit? "
On whether he would resign if the charges against his son are proved, he shot back, "Why should I pre-suppose? My judgement is right...(If I resign) I will be giving into the (design of) a top criminal of the country."
When pointed out that this time the allegation against his family member is not from media or political persons but from the top investigating agency of the country, the former home minister said, "I don't want to comment on CBI. I know CBI very well. CBI cannot level such allegations. These were put into CBI's mouth."
Singh, however, wondered how CBI swung into action in this case without the recommendation of the state government and why it acted so fast on a complaint of an individual.
"As per the practice, CBI takes action only after the state government recommends it, but in this case, a private citizen, who is guilty, petitioned before CBI and it rushed to take up the matter. That person is facing 12 cases," he said.
Singh also denied that he had any talk with the Nasik-based contractor Ramarao Patil who filed the petition, and claimed, "I had in fact written a letter to the Nasik police commissioner earlier saying that Patil was trying to offer gratitude to his (Buta Singh's) staff and family members.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}