Relief for Amar Singh: Cops says he may not be arrested

A Delhi court on Thursday summoned former Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh, BJP leader LK Advani's former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni and two former BJP MPs, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahabir Singh Bhagora, for their alleged role in the July 2008 cash-for-vote scam.

A Delhi court on Thursday summoned former Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh, BJP leader LK Advani's former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni and two former BJP MPs, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahabir Singh Bhagora, for their alleged role in the July 2008 cash-for-vote scam.

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However, the police pointed out that Amar Singh may not be arrested, as they only have circumstantial evidence against him.

Issuing summons to the accused, special judge Sangeeta Dhingra Sehgal questioned police why they were not arrested earlier, along with the two other accused - Sanjeev Saxena and Suhail Hindustani.

The Delhi police replied that it could not gather enough evidence to lead to their arrest.

Rajiv Mohan, counsel for police, said that the four were not arrested as their custodial interrogation was not required. Mohan, however, requested the judge to take cognizance and issue summons to all six accused including the two arrested earlier.

The court has summoned the accused on September 6, 2011.

The police said that Kulkarni had hatched the conspiracy to bribe the three BJP MPs.

He held a meeting on July 21, 2008 with Hindustani and the three BJP MPs Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahabir Singh Bhagora.

According to the police, Kulkarni initially tried to make a deal with Congress leaders, but failed, and so went to Samajwadi Party leaders stating he could influence vote of confidence for UPA I government.