Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal Saturday said he was innocent and had "no knowledge or clue" about the bribe taken by his nephew to ensure a railway official's promotion.
"Regarding yesterday's incident involving my sister's son in a CBI raid in Chandigarh, I have to say that I had no knowledge or clue about the matter at all," Bansal said in a statement.
"Though a close relative, he or any other relative of mine does not and cannot meddle in my official functions or influence my decisions.
"I have no business relations with my nephew nor any financial transactions with him," said the minister, who is an MP from Chandigarh where nephew Vijay Singla was arrested.
Bansal stressed that he has "always observed the highest standards of probity in public life and look forward to an expeditious investigation by CBI in the matter".
The Central Bureau of Investigation Friday night arrested Bansal's nephew and two others for allegedly receiving a bribe of Rs.90 lakh from a member of the Railway Board who was looking for a senior position.