Suhail Hindustani arrested, second in 'cash-for-votes' scam

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Wednesday made the second arrest in the 2008 'cash-for-votes' scam by taking into custody Suhail Hindustani, who had allegedly acted as a liaison between Amar Singh and BJP MPs sought to be bribed.

Hindustani was arrested after seven hours of questioning by the Crime Branch and charges under Prevention of Corruption Act were pressed against him, police sources said.

Police summoned Hindustani for questioning after it arrested Sanjeev Saxena, once considered close to Singh, for allegedly delivering cash to three BJP MPs.

While appearing for questioning, Hindustani sought to drag Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the cash-for-vote scam by levelling allegations against them and saying he would tell the same to police.

"I received calls from Amar Singh and Ahmed Patel (Political Secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi). Those close to Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) called me and even from 10-Janpath (Gandhi's residence)," claimed Hindustani to reporters before being questioned.

He, however, did not not identify all those who allegedly called him.