A Delhi court on Wednesday framed charges against former Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dileep Singh Judeo and five others after finding prima facie evidence against them in the cash-on-camera case.
The court also framed charges against Judeo's then private secretary Natwar Rateria, who was caught on camera when the former minister was allegedly receiving cash, and four others including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi's son Amit on whose behest a sting operation was carried out to disgrace the BJP leader.
Bhupender Singh Patel, Arvind Vijay Mohan and Rajat Prasad, who played pivotal role for carrying out the sting operation, have also been charged under various provisions of Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act.
"There is prima-facie sufficient material on record to frame charges against accused persons," Special CBI Judge I K Kochhar said while framing charges against them.
The CBI has alleged that Judeo, who was Forest and Environment Minister in the National Democratic Alliance government and Rateria had received illegal gratification of Rs 9 lakh at Hotel Taj Mansingh Palace on November 5, 2003.
The bribe money was offered by Patel during a sting operation, carried at the behest of Amit, who wanted to disgrace the BJP leader ahead of the Assembly election.
The sting operation, which was later telecast on various news channels was plotted to derive political mileage in favour of then Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit jogi as the Assembly elections in the state were scheduled in the month of November, 2003, the charge sheet alleged.