Cash-for-vote scam: Amar Singh aide held

Two days after the Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi Police for its slow probe in the cash-for-vote scam during the confidence motion faced by the Government in July 2008, the police made their first arrest in the case on Sunday.

Two days after the Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi Police for its slow probe in the cash-for-vote scam during the confidence motion faced by the Government in July 2008, the police made their first arrest in the case on Sunday.

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Sanjiv Saxena, believed to be a close aide of former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, was arrested by crime branch officials for his alleged involvement in the scam.

Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Ashok Chand confirmed the arrest but refused to disclose details. Police sources said Saxena was held under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

“Saxena was arrested after questioning and we have evidence against him. A sealed status report will be submitted to the Supreme Court soon,” said a senior police officer.

The Supreme Court had on Friday given the police a week’s time for a status report on the probe conducted by them. On July 22, 2008, BJP MPs displayed bundles of currency notes in the Lok Sabha, alleging that the ruling alliance had tried to bribe them to abstain from voting during the trust motion.

Three BJP MPs had alleged that Saxena delivered R1 crore in cash to them at one of their houses hours before the trust vote on July 22.