Trial begins against Jagdish Tytler, Verma in cheating case

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Tuesday started trial against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler and controversial arms dealer Abhishek Verma for allegedly writing a forged letter addressed to then prime minister Manmohan Singh in 2009. Special CBI judge Anju Bajaj Chandna recorded the statement of the complainant and then minister of state for home Ajay Maken as the prosecution witness in the case. Maken was cross examined by the counsel for accused persons in the case.

Besides Maken, Tytler and Verma were present in the court room during the proceedings, which will resume on Wednesday.

The court had on December 9 last year put Tytler and Verma on trial after framing charges for alleged offences punishable under various sections of IPC, including 420 (cheating), 471 (fraudulently or dishonestly using as genuine any forged

document or electronic record) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy).

The court had also framed charges under a provision of Prevention of Corruption Act.

The accused persons had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

During the arguments on the charges, Tytler, who was earlier granted bail, and Verma, who is in judicial custody in connection with various cases lodges against him, had denied allegations levelled against them by CBI.

The charge sheet was filed by CBI on a complaint of Maken, alleging a forged letter on his letterhead was addressed to Singh seeking easing of business visa norms in 2009.

Verma and Tytler were named in the charge sheet for the offence of attempting to cheat under IPC and a provision of Prevention of Corruption Act. Tytler was granted bail by the court after he had appeared before it in pursuance to summons. PTI