The CBI on Tuesday questioned former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal as a suspect in the railway bribery case involving his nephew Vijay Singla and Railway Board member Mahesh Kumar.
Bansal arrived at the Jamnagar house office of the CBI at 11 am and was questioned for over six hours on various issues related to the clearance of the files of promotion of top positions including railway board member Mahesh Kumar and also his association with him.
A CBI spokesperson said, “We are looking into the role, if any, played by the then Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal in this offence.”
Bansal was asked a number of questions about his meetings with Kumar, his promotion as board member and the additional charge given to him as general manager (West).
Kumar had allegedly paid `90 lakh to Bansal’s nephew Singla for retaining the additional charge of general manager (West) after his promotion as railway board member (staff). This was allegedly part of `10 crore deal Kumar struck with Singla for his elevation as member (electrical) in the board.
The duo was taken into custody by CBI on May 3 when it nabbed Singla with the `90 lakh alleged bribe money.
Sources said Bansal was asked, how Singla was able to assure Kumar about his elevation if he had not discussed the matter with him.
Bansal was confronted with the evidence collected by the probe agency about his meeting with the suspended railway board member in Mumbai on April 16 this year and if he had accompanied him on the chopper while traveling from Delhi to Mumbai.
Bansal is reported to have met Kumar in Mumbai on April 16 and the agency claimed that during this meeting the appointment of Kumar, who was general manager (West), was confirmed.
The former Minister denied any knowledge of the deal struck between Singla and Kumar. He also claimed his innocence in the entire scandal.