The Hindu : CBI looking for `definite clues' in Judev case

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 30, 2003

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CBI looking for `definite clues' in Judev case

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI NOV. 29. After registering a "preliminary enquiry'' into the Judev cash-on-tape scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation is still looking for "definite clues'' which would lead it somewhere.

The CBI Director, P.C. Sharma, told The Hindu that the agency was still to complete its "fact finding'' work because none of the crucial persons seen on the video compact disc have been traced and questioned.

Though Mr. Judev who resigned in the wake of the bribery expose in an English national daily, has not denied taking money he called it an "international conspiracy'' against him.

On its part, the CBI has sent notices to Mr. Judev and his personal assistant, Natwar Rateria, to appear before it in Delhi.

But it has not been able to establish the identity of the person who was seen allegedly offering money to the Minister and seeking his help in getting some mining licences in Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

The unclear images on the tape and the absence of the original tape are also hampering further investigations.

It would appear that the CBI would have to wait till the Assembly elections end on December 4. Mr. Sharma said the process of "fact finding'' was still on and it should not be thought that the CBI was reluctant to file the First Information Report in the case.

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