The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is scheduled to report to the Delhi High court today on the progress made in the probe in the alleged bribery of JMM MPs in July 1993.
The CBI has already completed its probe of the Bangalore leg of the case and over 10 persons, including former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, former Union ministers Buta Singh, Satish Sharma have been chargesheeted. Since it was entrusted with the investigations into the alleged bribery, the CBI has enlarged the scope of its probe and is looking into whether others who had voted against the no-confidence motion on July 28, 1993 had also been bribed. The CBI is looking into the role of former Union minister Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav, alongwith six others who had crossed floors on the crucial day. The probe will also focus on the allottment of gas agencies during the tenure of Satish Sharma as minister of petroleum. The sleuths are believed to have information on two cases in which petrol pumps were awarded to persons had abstained from voting. Inquiries are also being carried out against those who abstained from voting.
The sleuths will also have to inform the courts on the evidence that has been gathered in the case following raids at the residence of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and his family members.
The agency has already initiated probe into the alleged role of former union minister V C Shukla, R K Dhawan and hotelier Lalit Suri.