Malhotra remanded to CBI custody

Malhotra has been sent to CBI custody till August 21 after the investigating agency submitted that he was to be confronted with voluminous documents and other evidence.

A Delhi court on Tuesday remanded Ashok Malhotra, the alleged kingpin of the multi-crore land scam in the capital, to CBI custody for 14 days.

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Special Judge SK Kaushik sent Malhotra to CBI custody till August 21 after the investigating agency submitted that he was to be confronted with voluminous documents and other evidence collected during raids at his residence in Mukhrjee Nagar, Delhi.

"Considering the extent of investigation to be carried out by the CBI, I am satisfied that 14-day custody is justified in the circumstances of the case," the judge said.

Earlier, Ashok Soni, counsel for the accused submitted that CBI could not produce a single document to connect Malhotra with the case.

The probe agency contended that custodial interrogation of the accused was required to unearth his alleged nexus with other suspects in the case.

The accused had also argued before the court on the necessity of issuing a non-bailable warrant against him, saying he always wanted to join the investigation.

On August 4, the court had issued NBW against the city-based contractor.

Malhotra is accused of having entered into a criminal conspiracy with five DDA officials and fraudulently acquiring plots in Dhirpur area that were meant for resettlement of slum dwellers during 2000-02.

CBI has claimed that they have recovered numerous documents pertaining to plots, 17 luxury cars having VIP number plates, Rs 17 lakh cash and about seven kg of gold from his house following the raid at his residence.