- Sat, 31 Jul, 2010, 2:13 am -

Ranchi: Veteran BJP leader Saryu Rai released yet another Video CD. This time around the CD disclosed an alleged accomplice Saubhik Chattopadhyaya, PIL petioner’s lawyer Ritu Kumar and a Standing Council Rajendra Krishna closed door conversation. The talks were more or less related to the weakening of the on going case in the Madhu Koda related scam and conspiring to frame Saryu Rai in the case. The audio track revealed that Rs.5lakh was being paid as advance for the matter and balance Rs.15lakhs after execution.

Saryu Rai was speaking to the media persons at Hotel Green Horizon, when suddenly the alleged accused of the CD Saubhik Chattopadhyaya barged into the press conference and identified himself. The entire media and Saryu Rai were taken by surprise and it took a while for Saryu Rai to react and he shouted at Shaubhik to ‘get out’ of the PC. Shaubhik obliged and the entire media rushed out after him leaving Saryu Rai facing a near empty hall. Pandemonium prevailed as all the persons from the electronic channels pushed each other to get the version of Shaubhik. He happily obliged.

Shaubhik admitted to having conducted this sting operation as shown by Saryu Rai and openly accused Rai of diverting the investigations by his frequently convened press meets to influence the on going investigations. He alleged that Rai was presenting half truths and was afraid of the ED & Vigilance enquiry as that would ultimately expose his involvement too in the scam. He added that Saryu Rai was directly involved in money transactions in connivance with prime accused Binod Sinha in the Usha Martin matter.
He claimed that he had necessary documents and evidence to prove his allegation and he would do so at the right time.

Meanwhile, Saryu Rai repeated most of his demands of the previous press-meets and reiterated his demand for a CBI inquiry into the entire scam as it had spread to the entire nation as well as many other countries.

He added that the links of senior Congress leaders were being disclosed with the scamsters as the investigations were proceeding. He cited the case of M S Khan arrested by the Delhi police for allegedly cheating people in the garb of getting Rajya Sabha nominations. Punamia had lodged a complaint to the effect with the ITO PS in Delhi after which the police managed to nab Khan.

Saryu Rai claimed that the arrested Khan had named two senior Congress leaders’ involvement in the racket including that of Ahmed Patel during the interrogation. The police however, have not confirmed this.

In a question related to the Meinhardt investigations, the former legislator said that the investigations were complete but no action has been taken as yet, though the findings are against the accused. He reiterated that it was his personal opinion that BJP should not be part of the current coalition as it is adversely affecting the Party image.