Railway bribery: RPF official who helped Railway Board member Mahesh Kumar under CBI lens

NEW DELHI: CBI is likely to question an RPF official who allegedly helped wife of suspended Railway Board member Mahesh Kumar move documents and valuables from their official residence in Mumbai after news of his arrest in the Rs 10 crore bribery scandal broke out on news channels.

CBI sources said agency has recovered documents, property papers and diamond jwellery of "substantial value" from the residence of the Railway Protection Force(RPF) inspector who had shifted it from Kumar's residence in alleged collusion with Kumar's wife.

The sources said agency carried out searches at various locations including the premises of Kumar to trace these valuables which were later recovered from the RPF inspector's residence in Mumbai-suburb Bhayander.

They said the agency got the inputs after investigating local taxi drivers and family members of Kumar.

Although the initial value of these items does not seem to be "staggering but it is substantial", the sources said.

Kumar was arrested by CBI for allegedly paying nephew of Railway Minister P K Bansal, Vijay Singla Rs 90 lakh through a Bangalore-based businessman for managing a coveted post in the Railway Board.

Middleman Sandeep Goyal had allegedly promised Kumar to arrange the plum post of Member (Electrical) in Railway Board under a deal for Rs 10 crore. Goyal told Kumar that he will get the new post only after the incumbent Member is elevated as Railway Board Chairman, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Kumar had approached Goyal for ensuring that he gets additional charge of General Manager, Western Railway and Signal and Telecommunication till his appointment as Member (Electrical).

Goyal allegedly demanded Rs two crore as bribe immediately for this interim arrangement and said the balance Rs eight crore may be paid later, they said.