Najma Heptullah under CBI scanner

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday began probing charges of corruption and financial irregularities against Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Najma Heptullah during her tenure as Indian Council for Cultural Relations chairperson.

The investigation against the Bharatiya Janata Party member was ordered on the directions of the Delhi High Court, following a public interest litigation.

The CBI will also look into Heptullah's role in doctoring a photograph that showed her with freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, with whom she has family ties, in the book Journey of a Legend.      

The original has the Shah of Iran sitting with the Maulana and Heptulla's photograph is superimposed.

The book was withdrawn after disclosure that the photograph was morphed.

"We are finalising the teams that will be involved in the investigations," added the official.