Six former MLAs of Cong, BJP, JMM charge-sheeted

In the first charge-sheet, it named the then Congress MLAs Rajesh Ranjan, Yogendra Sao and <g data-gr-id="28">Sawna</g> <g data-gr-id="29">Lakra</g>, in second Simon Marandi of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and in third <g data-gr-id="30">Umashankar</g> Akela of BJP. The agency has filed these charge-sheets in the special court in Ranchi, sources said.

CBI had filed FIR in the case relating to a media expose, where the six MLAs were allegedly caught on tape expressing willingness to vote in favour of a particular candidate in return for monetary gains. In January 2013, the Jharkhand High Court had directed the CBI to take over <g data-gr-id="32">probe</g> into cash-for-vote allegations linked to 2010 Rajya Sabha elections and also look into whether any vigilance official was hindering progress in the case.

The allegations are “agreeing to accept and demanding for themselves illegal gratification for casting votes as well as influencing their fellow legislators to cast their vote in favour of the purported candidate of the sting reporter in the Rajya Sabha Election held in Jharkhand during June, 2010,” CBI Press Information Officer RK Gaur said on Monday.

“CBI investigation revealed that the said accused then MLAs had allegedly demanded and agreed to accept illegal gratification for themselves to the tune of Rs 1 crore to two crores (approx) for casting their votes in favour of the purported candidate of the sting reporter. The accused then MLAs also allegedly assured the sting reporter for influencing their fellow party legislators to secure their votes in favour of the purported candidate,” he said in a statement.

The case was handled by state vigilance department which had lodged FIR against six MLAs of different political parties after a TV channel showed a CD footage purportedly having voices of some MLAs soon after the 2010 Raj Sabha elections was conducted to fill the vacant post of MPs from Jharkhand.

The high court in its order said that CBI also may look into the issue whether there is <g data-gr-id="22">element</g> of any criminality of any of the officer in the vigilance department in Jharkhand.

In addition, the court asked the agency to probe whether vigilance department officials permitted <g data-gr-id="24">destruction</g> of evidence, abetted in getting the evidence of criminal case destroyed and other issues.