Pawan Bansal: quick rise and quicker fall

Former railway minister is being investigated by the CBI after his nephew was arrested on bribery charge.

Punjab University law graduate Pawan Kumar Bansal's political journey begins as "Mr Clean'' when he first gets the Congress ticket and defeats a BJP heavyweight from Chandigarh in 1999. He gradually rises to become the railway minister and is made to resign following cash-for-posting charges.

Railways-minister-Pawan-Kumar-Bansal-leaves-Rail-Bhavan-in-New-Delhi-PTI

Here is a timeline of his career:

Begins his political career at 28 as general secretary of Chandigarh Youth Congress

Becomes a Rajya Sabha member at 36.

Gains political limelight at 43 as a Congressman in 1999 after defeating BJP heavyweight Krishan Lal Sharma from Chandigarh.

Rises in say and stature following victory and links with senior Congress leaders like Ambika Soni and Manmohan Singh.

He takes over as railway minister Bansal on October 28, 2012.

His rivals allege business interests overlapping his political ambitions

On May 3, 2013, his nephew Vijay Singla is arrested for accepting Rs. 90 lakh bribe for top railway posting.

On May 10, Pawan Bansal resigns as railway minister.