A CBI court has put on trial the former Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, Mahmood A Madni, for allegedly misusing his official position by submitting fake bills of airlines in the name of his family members and claiming over Rs 5 lakh from the Pay and Accounts office of Rajya Sabha.
The court said that there was enough material and prima facie evidence to register a case against Madani and his aides under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) read with several sections of Prevention of Corruption cases Act .
According to the CBI complaint, Madani entered into a criminal conspiracy with others persons with an object to claim excess payment from Rajya Sabha Secretary by submitting fake companion e-ticket for traveling by airline during the year 2012.
CBI said that Madni was paid over Rs 5 lakh. The CBI alleged that due to this the Government of India occurred huge loss and corresponded wrongful gain to the accused.
“Madni by hatching conspiracy with other persons had fraudulently and dishonestly claimed excess reimbursement for e-ticket by abusing his authority. Our investigation revealed that as many as nine tickets were issued to Madni by M/s Bonaire Travel Service and the corresponding CFS tickets were issued at cheaper rate. The airline has also confirmed the actual amount of nine CFS tickets was only Rs 5,669, but forged tickets were submitted to claim the reimbursement of Rs 5,75,135. Thus he has committed the offences punishable under sections 120-B, read with sections 420, 468, 467, 471 of IPC and 13(1)(d), 13(2) of Prevention of corruption act,” the CBI had alleged.
During the trial of the case the counsel appearing for Madni had argued that the Personal Assistant of Madni submitted the bills. “Madni was having no knowledge with regard to excess claim made with regard to reimbursement of the air tickets purchased for my client and his family,” the counsel had argued.