Video released by Ajoy Kumar submitted to HC

CASH-FOR-VOTE SCAM The video allegedly contains proof of BJP Jamshedpur candidate Bidyut Baran’s involvement in the scam

JAMSHEDPUR: The 21-minute video released on Tuesday by JVM(P)’s Jamshedpur candidate Ajoy Kumar, which allegedly contains proof of his rival and BJP candidate Bidyut Baran Mahato’s involvement in the 2010 Rajya Sabha cash-for-vote scam, has been submitted to the high court.

Rajiv Kumar, the lawyer who submitted the tape in the court, said the video content corroborates the incriminating statements given by 12 witnesses in the case against a few BJP and JMM leaders, including eight contestants of the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

The video shows Pramod Pandey (the driver of one of the accused in the case, Sita Soren) admitting to the presence of Vidyut Baran at a meeting allegedly convened to decide on the amount that should be given to the MLAs in exchange for their votes supporting a particular candidate in the Rajya Sabha election.

The other political leaders named in statement are: former JMM leader and BJP’s Giridih candidate Hemlal Murmu and JMM’s Giridih candidate Jagannath Mahato,

THE VIDEO SHOWS A WITNESS ADMITTING TO THE PRESENCE OF BARAN AT A CONSPIRACY MEETING THAT LEAD TO THE RAJYA SABHA SCAM

Trinamool Congress’ Ranchi candidate Bandhu Trikey, TMC’s Lohardaga candidate Chamra Linda, Congress’ Hazaribag candidate Sourav Narayan Singh and Jai Bharat Samanata Party’s Singhbhum candidate Geeta Koda. Geeta Koda is the wife of scam-tainted former chief minister Madhu Koda.

Earlier, the lawyer told a press conference at the JVM(P) election office here that people should not vote for leaders involved in the RS cash-for-vote scams of 2010 and 2012.

“About two dozen MLAs were paid ` 1.5 crore by RK Agrawal and ` 2.5 crore each by Pawan Kumar Dhoot for expressing willingness to vote for them in the 2012 Rajya Sabha election,” alleged Kumar, quoting the statements.

“I am exposing the details because Ajoy Kumar is a clean candidate whereas Vidyut Baran Mahato is involved in the scam. Pramod Pandey has, in the video CD, mentioned his name along with 17 JMM MLAs as accepting ` 4.5 crore each from KD Singh, now a Trinamool Congress RS MP,” Kumar said.

“About ` 150 crore changed hands in the 2010 RS polls and all the 18 JMM legislators have been paid. The money came from Hyatt Regency in Kolkata in two SUVs and a bus to Ranchi.

Sibus Soren’s PA Vivek Rout and Ravi Kejriwal handled everything and the bus is still in use at the school of chief minister Hemant Soren’s wife in Ranchi,” said Kumar.