Congress MLA Sabaria, aide sent on one-day remand by Morbi court in corruption case

Morbi: Congress MLA Parshottam Sabaria who was arrested yesterday under Anti Corruption and other sections was sent to one-day police custody(remand) today along with his lawyer and middle man in micro irrigation scam Bharat Ganeshiya.

Police had sought five days remand of Bharat Ganeshiya and one day remand of Halvad MLA Sabaria. Court however sent both to police custody on one-day remand. Court will take further decision tomorrow on whether to continue their custody for even longer or send them to judicial custody.

District Superintendent sharing the details of this case had yesterday said that Sabaria had demanded Rs 40 lakh through his lawyer and middleman Bharat from those involved in micro irrigation scam. Sabaria as an opposition MLA had demanded money for not raising the issue of micro irrigation scam inside the assembly and elsewhere. The deal according to probe of police was fixed at Rs 35 lakh. Rs 10 lakh sum was handed over to Bharat Ganeshiya while cheques of rest of the amount were received from mandli people involved in scam according to police.

Police had earlier arrested key accused, former assistant superintendent of irrigation department of Morbi and a consultant. As many as 50 persons involved in this cam had filed anticipatory bail plea that were rejected by court. MLA’s name emerged during investigation and questioning of accused.

An unverified audio clip of telephone talk of MLA Sabaria and aide Bharat discussing money matter linked to micro irrigation scam was viral last evening.

Over 300 works of excavation and deepening of ponds and checkdams were carried out in Morbi district. Police has so far probed little over 51 works. The figure of scam has touched above Rs 1 crore. Total amount spent by government in concerned area was Rs 20 crore. The scam figure may go up as more works are scrutinized.

DeshGujarat