CBI likely to book Bansal's private secretary Rahul Bhandari in a fresh inquiry

NEW DELHI: Former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's private secretary Rahul Bhandari is heading for more trouble as CBI is likely to register a fresh enquiry against him for allegedly playing role in transfers and posting in the Ministry for illegal gratification.

Bhandari has already been quizzed during the probe in Rs 10 crore cash-for-post bribery case, in which Bansal's nephew Vijay Singla has been arrested.

CBI sources said some instances during the surveillance of Singla and suspended Railway Board member Mahesh Kumar indicate Bhandari's alleged involvement in the transfers and postings in the ministry.

The sources said Bhandari, a 1997-batch Punjab-cadre IAS officer, has been grilled about these conversations during his examination by the agency which is likely to file charge sheet in connection with the Railway bribery scandal this month.

Bhandari did not respond to SMS seeking his reaction on the development or to phone calls.

The sources said the agency is also looking into assets of Bhandari which are alleged to have grown disproportionately.

Bhandari had been quizzed twice about his role in the postings and transfers in the Railway Ministry during the probe in in Rs 10 crore cash-for-post bribery case registered by CBI on May 3 against Singla, Kumar besides other middlemen. Bansal was forced to quit the Union Cabinet in the wake of the scandal.

The sources said during his questioning, Bhandari denied any involvement in the bribery scandal but they claimed to have found enough evidence which indicate his involvement in the postings and transfers on monetary considerations in the ministry.

The sources said a decision on filing a fresh preliminary enquiry against him is likely to be taken soon by the agency which is examining the material against him.