The CBI today recorded the statement of Buta Singh, Chairman for the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), in connection with a bribery case involving his son.
The former Union Minister and former Governor had informed the Delhi High Court on August 31 that he would appear before the investigating agency only after it clarified that he is required as a witness and not as an accused in the case.
Singh, who had earlier struck a defiant note saying CBI has no authority to question a Constitutional functionary having powers of a civil court, without Centre's sanction, made the statement before a two-member CBI team at his NCSC office in the Lok Nayak Bhavan here.
Buta Singh's son, Sarobjit, was arrested on July 31 by CBI for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs one crore from a Nashik-based contractor to close an atrocity case against him pending before the Commission headed by his father.
The High Court had on August 26 sought response from the CBI on a petition filed by Singh, who had accused the probe agency of "illegally" summoning him.
Singh, who had approached the High Court on August 25, had also contended that he holds a post of Cabinet rank and the CBI cannot question or interrogate him without taking the Centre's sanction.
The CBI recorded Singh's statement amidst heavy security presence at the Lok Nayak Bhavan.
The usually accessible building was out of bounds for outsiders and even the media, and strict checks were being conducted at the gate to allow only employees working in the offices there.
Outside the NCSC office, an instruction was pasted asking security personnel to bar the entry of public till 2 pm.
"This is to inform all security personnel that entry would be restricted till 2 pm due to an important meeting at NCSC. No visitor, including mediapersons, will be allowed inside the office," the note signed by an officer said.
