Bansal threatens scribe, press club seeks apology

Two days after stepping down from his cabinet post, former railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said he was innocent of any complicity in the railway bribery scam and the ongoing investigation in the case would establish it.

Two days after stepping down from his cabinet post, former railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said he was innocent of any complicity in the railway bribery scam and the ongoing investigation in the case would establish it.

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"I have no role in railgate, let the CBI conduct its inquiry. I will continue holding public meetings in city," he told his supporters at his Chandigarh residence on Sunday. Former MP Satya Pal Jain's allegations were a malicious campaign to tarnish his image, he added.

After the debacle in Delhi, Bansal received a big show of support in Chandigarh. Since morning, Congressmen came in droves at his residence. Bansal, who usually turned up late for such meetings, was on time.

But things took a serious turn when a mediaperson asked him about the companies owned by his family.

"I am not here to give you the definition of my family. You come inside and I will tell you," he replied.

Following this, the Chandigarh Press Club issued a statement, saying, "He (mediaperson) has virtually been threatened… The press club demands an unconditional apology from Mr Bansal."