Raje calls for CBI probe against Gehlot in 108 scam

JAIPUR: Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday recommended CBI inquiry against her predecessor Ashok Gehlot and other Congress leaders, including Sachin Pilot, over their alleged involvement in irregularities to the tune of Rs.2.56 crores in operating '108' ambulance service during the previous government.
“Chief minister has asked the state home secretary to send a formal request letter to the Union home ministry to initiate CBI inquiry into involvement of the above leaders in 108 scam,” confirmed an official from the chief minister’s office.
Rajasthan health minister Rajendra Singh Rathore had on Saturday hinted at the CBI inquiry. However, he waited for chief minister’s return.
“I had also supported the CBI probe as it was matter of probity on the part of people occupying senior positions in government. However, one should not see as political vendetta only because Gehlot and other Congress leaders are accused in the case,” Rathore said.
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On July 10, police had filed an FIR naming Gehlot, Pilot and several others in the case. Others accused in the case are ex-state health minister A A Khan, Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Minister P Chidambaram, Ravi Krishna, son of former Union Minister Vayalar Ravi, Sweta Mangal, then CEO of Ziqitza Healthcare, Shaffi Mather, former advisor to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the Director of NRHM.
Police had registered a case on former Jaipur mayor Pankaj Joshi’s complaint on July 31 last year.
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The complaint was filed under sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine forged material) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. Following statutory norms, the case was referred to CB CID for investigation as it involved elected representatives, including Gehlot.