Cops chargesheet Ashok Argal in cash-for-votes scam

The Delhi Police on Monday named BJP MP Ashok Argal as an accused in the 2008 cash-for-votes scam in its second supplementary chargesheet in a local court here.

The police also submitted to the court that the Lok Sabha Speaker has given her sanction to prosecute Argal in the case.

Earlier this year, Argal was questioned by the Delhi Police along with Samajwadi Party MP Rewati Raman Singh. It was Rewati who had allegedly made the offer to Argal to support the UPA during the trust vote in 2008 at a fixed price.

Argal had told the police that Rewati approached him on behalf of Amar Singh. He also said Amar had struck the deal and made him talk to Ahmed Patel on the phone.

Argal also informed the police that Amar’s secretary Sanjeev Saxena came to give him the bribe money.

Meanwhile, the Delhi high court issued notice to the Delhi Police on the interim bail plea of Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh and directed it to respond to it within three days.

While issuing the notice, justice Ajit Bharihoke directed the Delhi Police to file the status report within three days and slated the matter for further hearing on October 12.

The court also directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where Singh is being treated for a kidney-related ailment, to submit his medical report by the next date of hearing.

Seeking Amar’s early release, senior advocate Dinesh Mathur said: “His health condition is not good and even talking of merits in the case, there is nothing against him.”