CBI arrests SHO for accepting bribe
UNITECH CASES Lawyer also arrested while handing over the bribe to ‘manage’ cases; Unitech denies any wrongdoing
NEWDELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday said it arrested a station house officer (SHO) of Saket police station l on charges of receiving a bribe of ₹2 lakh from a lawyer on behalf of real estate firm Unitech Limited.
A CBI spokesman said the lawyer, identified as Neeraj Walia, too was arrested while handing over the bribe.
Deputy commissioner of police (South), Romil Baaniya said that the SHO Neeraj Kumar has been placed under suspension. “As soon as we came to know about the incident, we suspended him. Adequate action will be taken against him,” he said.
Unitech’s founder Ramesh Chandra too has been booked in the case along with eight others including his son Ajay Chandra. Another son Sanjay Chandra was an accused in the 2G scam case but the trial court acquitted him. Now CBI’S appeal against the order is pending with the high court.
Both Sanjay and Ajay Chandra are in Tihar jail on charges of duping home buyers of their real estate projects.
In a statement, a Unitech spokesperson denied any wrong- doing on the part of Unitech Ltd or any of its directors and office bearers.
“Our Managing Directors are in custody and are presently lodged at central jail Tihar in relation to proceedings subjudice before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The company has deposited substantial amounts to comply with the orders of the court and has further tracts of land to redress grievances of the homebuyers,” the company spokesperson said.
“Following a court order, 47 cases related to the Unitech were referred to Saket police station for probe. We suspect that regular payments were being made to “manage” these cases,” said a CBI official familiar with the probe, who asked not to be identified.
The CBI in statement said the bribe was “to show undue favour for settlement of cases registered against Directors / owners of said private firm,” read the statement.
The Unitech spokesperson suggested there was no need for this.
The matters pending at Saket Police Station and other police stations are before the Supreme Court.
“There was no need or occasion for seeking any favours or disfavour from any official,” the company spokesperson added.
The company has deposited substantial amounts to comply with the orders of the court... There was no need or occasion for seeking any favours or disfavour from any official.
UNITECH SPOKESPERSON