Congress keeping every principle of democracy at stake: Prakash Javadekar

BJP on Sunday said that Pawan Kumar Bansal was a partner in the bribery case, which saw his nephew get arrested by the CBI.

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said that Railway Minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal was a partner in the bribery case, which saw his nephew get arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In New Delhi, BJP spokesperson, Prakash Javadekar reiterated the opposition``s demand for Bansal``s dismissal. "The stance of the Congress party to deny the dismissal of Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal shows that they have now decided to keep every principle of democracy at stake. The person giving the bribe has been arrested, the person taking the bribe has been arrested and he is none other than the nephew of the Railway Minister," said Javadekar. Bansal``s nephew, Singla has been booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the bribery case involving high ranking railway official, Mahesh Kumar who took charge as a Member of the Railway Board just two days ago. According to CBI, Singla took a bribe of Rs. 9 million from Kumar through a middleman for a lucrative position in the Railway Board. Sleuths of the CBI raided Singla``s residence at Chandigarh and also detained him later for interrogation. BJP leader, Kirit Somaiya revealed documents showing the details of Pawan Bansal``s residence and companies in Chandigarh and accused him of jointly running such operations with his nephew. He alleged that companies were being formed at the residential address of Pawan Bansal and that his sons and his nephew who live with him in a joint family are conducting this business in partnership. Rashid Masood, however said that there was space for vicarious liability in criminal law and Bansal cannot be charged for his nephew``s crimes. He said: ""There is no vicarious liability in criminal law. If the nephew has done the crime than he would face the consequences under law and if Mr. Bansal is also found involved then he will also be indicted. But I don``t think Bansal is responsible." The CBI detained Kumar, General Manager (Western railways), in Mumbai and registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian penal code (IPC) against him. ANI