2008 cashscam: Amar Singh seeks discharge

NEW DELHI: Former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today sought discharge from the 2008 cash-for-vote scam case saying there was no evidence to show that he induced BJP MPs to cross vote in the trust vote in 2008 in lieu of money.

"No charge can be framed against me. There is no inducement from my end to bring MPs to cross-vote in lieu of money.

"There is allegation that I gave money. But I am not a man of means. Just an impression has been created that I am. But I am not," Singh submitted before Special Judge Narottam Kaushal.

"As far as charge sheet is concerned, there is no direct evidence qua me. It is the case of the prosecution itself that there is no direct evidence. Entire case is based on circumstantial evidence," Singh's counsel senior advocate Hariharan N said during arguments on framing of charges.

The Delhi Police had in its first charge sheet accused Amar Singh and L K Advani's former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni of "conspiring" and "masterminding" the cast-for-vote scam to bribe some MPs ahead of a confidence vote in Lok Sabha on July 22, 2008.

Besides Amar Singh and Kulkarni, BJP MPs Ashok Argal and Faggan Singh Kulaste and former MP Mahabir Singh Bhagora Sanjeev Saxena, Amar Singh's former aide and BJP activist Sohail Hindustani are accused in the case.

Refuting the allegations, Singh's counsel today said from the evidence of record, meeting of minds cannot be proved.

The first stage of the case was on July 21, 2008 when BJP MPs had allegedly met Samajwadi party MP Rewati Raman Singh who is now not before this court.

"The high court was, while quashing the trial court's order summoning Rewati Raman Singh as an accused, of the view that the CD of the sting cannot be relied upon. So, the factum of meeting of Rewati Raman Singh with BJP MPs is gone. Entire initiation of the case is gone. There is no meeting of minds," he said.