CBI court frames charges against ex-CPS,2 others in graft case

Khurana,the BJP MLA from Rajpura,was arrested by the CBI on May 5,2011. He was booked on charges of allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 1.5 crore for closing a complaint against office-bearers of an automobile association.

Khurana was arrested along with his alleged conduit Devinder Singh. Devinder Singh was caught red-handed with cheques for Rs 1.35 crore and cash worth Rs 15 lakh from his car following a deal that took place in Khurana’s official residence in Sector 39. Khurana had to resign from the post of the CPS following his arrest.

On Friday,special CBI Judge Vimal Kumar framed charges against all the three accused under Section 120-B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) read with Section 8 (taking gratification,in order,by corrupt or illegal means,to influence public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act,1998.

The court also framed charges against Khurana and Devinder Singh under Section 8 (taking gratification,in order,by corrupt or illegal means,to influence public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act,1998.

Accused Bhag Singh was arrested after Swarna Ram told the CBI that he had sent the note — recommending that the land deal case be forwarded to the then Local Bodies and Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia — to his secretary but he had failed to do so. Bhag Singh had been arrested for his alleged failure to send the note signed by Swarna Ram recommending action in a fraudulent land sale against Manpreet Singh,general secretary,Punjab Automobile Mechanics’ Association,and CBI complainant in the case.

According to the complaint,Devinder Singh threatened that in case the bribe was not paid,the control of the association would be taken over by the government and a criminal case registered against its office-bearers.

The CBI had laid the trap following a complaint from Manpreet Singh from whom Devinder Singh had allegedly demanded Rs 1.5 crore for settling a complaint against him.