A video, purportedly showing Devendra Singh Tomar, son of Union minister and BJP’s Dimni (Morena) seat candidate Narendra Singh Tomar, engaged in discussion on transaction of bribe money woth crores of rupees, has further raised the political temperatures in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.
Even as the opposition Congress has demanded the arrest of junior Tomar and immediate action by Election Commission, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the matter, Devendra Singh has got an FIR registered in Morena, seeking a probe into the “forged, fake and fabricated” video and strict action against the accused.
He has also sought removal of the video from social media and blocking of relevant URLs under provisions of section 69(A) of Information Technology (IT) Act.
The video, purportedly showing Devendra Singh in conversation over a video call with a person regarding separate transactions of Rs 100 crores, Rs 18 crores and Rs 21 crores, went viral on social media on Sunday and several Congress leaders at state and national level shared it. They accused junior Tomar of taking bribes and sought action by agencies in the matter.
Later on Sunday night, Devendra Singh got an FIR lodged at Civil Lines police station of Morena district. The FIR was based upon a letter by him, which said: “A viral video has today come to my notice; through which disinformation is being spread about alleged transactions of crores of rupees by me and a negative atmosphere is being created against me. The video is being spread on social media with an intention to cause damage to my reputation. No such amount has been received in my bank account, the account of any of my family members or any persons linked to them. This (video) is totally fake and fabricated. Please probe into the conspiracy and initiate strict action against those involved.”
The FIR has been lodged against unknown persons under section 469 of IPC, additional superintendent of police of Morena, Arvind Thakur told the media.
Congress seeks dismissal of Narendra Singh Tomar
National spokesperson and IT Department head of Congress, Supriya Shrinate on Monday addressed a press conference in Bhopal over the issue, seeking arrest of Devendra Singh as his father “wielded huge influence”.
She also demanded a probe by multiple agencies into the matter, a separate judicial probe and dismissal of Narendra Singh Tomar from Union cabinet till the probe is over.
Shrinate said that the alleged money reaching the Tomar family was money belonging to the youth, farmers and common people of Madhya Pradesh.
“(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji loves playing ED ED. Here is the discussion of crores of rupees of bribe, but suddenly the ED, CBI and IT have gone dead silent. A video like this leads to a lot of suspicion amid assembly polls. Where has been the huge sum of black money used? The EC should get the video verified and take quick action. Modi ji regales in harassing the opposition by creating false charges and sending the ED, IT to Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan due to low-level politics of revenge. How can he remain silent on allegations of such a huge bribe, when there is proof available?,” she asked.
