CBI opposes anticipatory bail plea of TV actor in graft case

New Delhi : CBI opposed the anticipatory bail plea of TV actor Anuj Saxena before a Delhi court in a graft case involving Director General of Corporate Affairs B K Bansal, alleging he played an active role in the commission of the offence. The agency submitted before Special CBI Judge Gurdeep Singh that Saxena, also the Chief Operating Officer of Elder Pharmaceuticals, had played a direct role in bribing Bansal to ensure that he does not order an SFIO inspection against his firm on charges of illegal collection of Rs 175 crore from 24,000 investors, diversion of funds to companies abroad and not giving returns on time.

Advocate K P Singh, appearing for the probe agency, told the court that the Saxena had played an active role in commission of the offence and CBI had recordings of the phone conversations of the accused persons. While seeking bail for Saxena, known for roles in soaps “Kkusum” and “Kumkum”, senior advocate K K Manan said that his client did not have any direct link with the case and there was only a disclosure statement of a co-accused.

He claimed that CBI had tapped the accused’ phone but no incriminating material was found against the actor and that he was ready to join the investigation. The court reserved the order on Saxena’s plea for tomorrow.

According to CBI, an FIR was registered against Saxena alleging that his company Elder Pharmaceuticals had bribed Bansal to ensure that he does not order an SFIO inspection on charges against him. Saxena, who is COO and Chairman-cum Managing Director of the firm, has not been arrested by CBI which has taken into custody Bansal, middleman Vishwadeep Bansal and two more private persons.

Bansal is at present out on interim bail granted by the court till August 22 following the alleged suicide by his wife and daughter after his arrest. The case emanated from complaints received by Registrar of Companies in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs from investors who had alleged that Elder Pharmaceuticals had collected over Rs 175 crore from over 24,000 investors under Companies’ Acceptance of Deposits Rule, CBI has said.

The company had allegedly lured them offering attractive rates of interest ranging from 9.5 per cent to 11.5 per cent on deposits ranging from a 12-36 month period. Over 1000 such complaints were made to RoC, they said. The ministry had instituted an inspection by Regional Director (West) Mumbai which claimed the company had allegedly not kept 15 per cent of deposits in liquid form, accepted Rs 138 crore from other companies which was akin to accepting deposits among other acts which were against the law, it has said.