Sana backed plaint with inconsistent statements: CVC

NEWDELHI: Controversial Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Babu Sana, whose statement led to the October 2018 case against then Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation Rakesh Asthana for corruption, had himself given a virtual clean chit to the IPS officer during his statement recorded before the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

During the CVC enquiry in 2018-19 on charges and countercharges by then CBI Director Alok Verma and Asthana against each other, Sana stated that he “never spoke to any officer of CBI directly or through phone regarding payment of money” nor “dealt with any CBI officer” associated with the Moin Qureshi probe for delivering any money or other assets or services.

Moin Querishi is a billionaire meat exporter being investigated on several charged including money laundering.

He reiterated this when CBI recorded his statement last year, according to officials familiar with the matter.

This is one of crucial grounds for giving a clean chit to Asthana by CBI on Tuesday.

HT has a copy of Sana’s statement, in which he claimed that he paid money to Dubai-based brothers Somesh Prasad and Manoj Prasad, as he “believed them” that they can get him wrangle out of CBI case against meat exporter Moin Qureshi.

Sana added that he “simply believed Somesh Prasad” who apparently informed him that Rakesh Asthana was the senior CBI officer handling his case in the agency.

The CBI FIR, registered on October 15, 2018 on Sana’s complaint, alleged that Prasad promised him immunity from probe.

CVC’S probe report, which has been reviewed by HT, concluded that Sana was giving “inconsistent statements and not coming out clean before the IO (investigating officer)”.

The Commission also recommended treating him as an accused rather than a witness/ complainant.

The CVC stated – “complainant (Sana) is clearly an accomplice in the case and cannot enjoy immunity”.

He was arrested by Enforcement Directorate in July last year in its money laundering probe against Moin Qureshi and others.

Interestingly, the Asthana led SIT (special investigation team), had in September 2018, recommended Sana’s arrest but it was stalled by then CBI Director Alok Verma.

The agency, in its 16-month long probe, didn’t find any corroborate evidence or money trail to prove Sana’s claims.

A CBI officer cited above pointed out that Sana has indeed given contradictory statements but agency is yet to get any reply from UAE authorities to help us verify whether he paid ~3 croreto investment banker Manoj Prasad and his brother Somesh Prasad.

“Since the meeting between Sana and Prasad brothers took place in Dubai, these facts need to be verified at UAE’S end,” he added, asking not to be identified.

Sana’s lawyer didn’t respond to HT’S calls.

THE CVC’S PROBE REPORT, WHICH HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY HT, SAID SANA DID NOT COME CLEAN BEFORE THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER. IT CALLED HIM AN ACCOMPLICE WHO CAN’T ENJOY IMMUNITY