Corruption case: CBI puts former MP in the dock

New Delhi: A CBI court has put on trial former Rajya Sabha MP Mahmood A. Madani in connection with a corruption case.

The court said there was enough material on record to proceed with the case under various sections of IPC and several sections of prevention of corruption against Mr Madani and his associates.

According to the CBI complaint, Mr Madani entered into a criminal conspiracy with others persons to claim excess payment from the Rajya Sabha secretary by submitting a fake companion e-ticket for traveling by an airline in 2012.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had alleged that Mr Madani allegedly misused his official position by submitting fake airline bills in the name of his family members and claiming more than `five lakh from the pay and account office.

Due to this, the investigation agency alleged that the government of India incurred a huge loss and corresponded wrongful gain to the accused.  

“Mr Madani by hatching conspiracy with other persons had fraudulently claimed excess reimbursement by abusing his authority,” the CBI said.

“Our investigation revealed that as many as nine tickets were issued to Mr Madani by M/s Bonaire Travel Service and the corresponding CFS tickets were issued at a cheaper rate. The airline also confirmed the actual amount of nine CFS tickets was only `5,669, but forged tickets were submitted to claim the reimbursement of `5,75,135,” the CBI alleged.

“Thus the former MP has committed the offences punishable under Sections 120-B, read with Sections 420, 468, 467, 471 of Indian Penal Code and 13(1)(d), 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,” the CBI said

During the trial of the case, the counsel representing the former MP argued that the personal assistant of Mr Madani had submitted the bills.

“Mr Madani has no knowledge with regard to the excess claim made with regard to reimbursement of the air tickets purchased for his client and his family,” the counsel argued.