Date:07/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/07/stories/2007080752531000.htm

Back CBI arrests Ashok Malhotra in Delhi land scam

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Aug. 6 Mr Ashok Malhotra, a Delhi Assembly canteen vendor and alleged mastermind behind the multi-crore land scam, was arrested by the CBI from the studio of a private Hindi news channel on Monday.

He has been taken for questioning to the CBI headquarters in the Capital.

Earlier today, in the interview to a news channel, Mr Malhotra said that he was only fond of accumulating cars and VIP number plates and that this was not a crime.

He had offered to surrender on the condition that the Central investigative agency interrogate him in the presence of a legal team.

Refuting allegations of any association with politicians and any involvement in the land scam, the contractor said that he had gone underground, “fearing for his life.”

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

The CBI is examining documents recovered during raids at his residence and other places, sources said.

Searches have revealed that he was in possession of 17 luxury cars and six motorcycles with VIP number plates, Rs 17 lakh in cash and about seven kg of gold.

“Investigations are at a very initial stage. No one will be spared. Anybody of any stature found to have played a role will not be spared. All that’s possible is being done to unravel the scam,” CBI sources said.

The CBI had, on Saturday, secured a non-bailable warrant from a special court against the contractor.

Issuing the warrant, Special Judge Mr S.K. Kaushik had also asked the CBI to produce him before the court on or before August 14.

Following unearthing of the multi-crore scam, it was also discovered that recommendations were made by some political leaders to allot fancy car numbers to Mr Malhotra.

It is also alleged that a couple of Ministers and others were trying to topple the Sheila Dikshit Government in the State using the controversy.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Cabinet has suspended the issuance of fancy registration numbers.