New Delhi, Nov 21: In a virtual clean chit to Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh facing allegations of kidnapping a key witness of 2008 cash-for-vote scam case, the Delhi police today sought dismissal of the complaint in a court here saying the allegations were “not found substantiated” and were an “after thought”.
The crime branch of Delhi Police said the complaint by Hashmat Ali, a key prosecution witness in the cash-for-vote scam, seeking registration of criminal case against Singh and two others, was “without merit” and deserved to be dismissed.
Ali had sought registration of an FIR against Amar Singh, his secretary Tarun and aide Ramesh under various provisions of the IPC and the Arms Act relating to kidnapping, criminal intimidation, illegal confinement and robbery.
“From inquiry, the allegations in the complaint of Hashmat Ali were not found substantiated and hence no FIR was registered. The petition is an after thought and without merit, it deserves to be dismissed,” police said in the status report filed before Metropolitan Magistrate Sudesh Kumar.
The police said after a detailed inquiry, it was revealed that no such incident as alleged by Ali took place near Khan Market area here on September 25, 2008, the day when he was to depose before the Parliamentary inquiry committee constituted to probe the cash-for-vote scam.
“We have also inquired the matter from one head constable and two constables, who were deployed near the pan shop at the entry gate of Khan Market round the clock. They (policemen) have told that no incident of forcibly putting Hashmat Ali in a car and taking him away at 8 AM on September 25, 2008 happened as their duty was round the clock at the same spot where the incident was alleged to have happened with Hashmat Ali,” the status report said.
The police said as far as Ali's complaint is concerned, no cognizable offence was made out against Singh and two others.
The police said Singh's personal secretary Tarun Goel had filed a criminal complaint against Ali on September 25, 2008 alleging that Ali was repeatedly calling them demanding money to depose “honestly” before the Parliamentary inquiry committee.
“Tarun Goel has mentioned (in complaint) that Hasmat Ali has been writing letters to Amar Singh and has been calling him repeatedly for fixing time with him. Tarun Goel has also alleged that Hasmat Ali has been stating that he would depose honestly if he is paid more lucratively than what has been offered by the BSP/BJP,” the status report said.
It said Goel had alleged that on September 25, 2008, Ali had come to Singh's residence at 27, Lodhi Estate, and claimed that he (Ali) was ready to disclose the names of conspirators involved in the sting operation, conducted by a private news channel during the trust vote in July 2008. Goel had alleged that Ali had told him that he would disclose the truth of the sting operation, if they would pay him a handsome amount.
Police said after “exhaustively” inquiring the complaints by Goel and Ali, no cognizable offence was made out.
