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| Police to question MPs in human trafficking case | | |
NEW DELHI, APR 23
Four Parliamentarians, named by a suspect in the alleged human trafficking case involving BJP MP Babubhai Katara, will be grilled by the Delhi Police as they recovered at least 30 passports in raids at various locations across the country.
Notices have been issued to four MPs -- BJP's Ramswarup Koli and three BSP members Mitrasen Yadav, Mohammad Tahir Khan and Ashok Rawat -- after investigators went through their travel records.
"Notices are being served to the Parliamentarians as per the provisions of the CrPC asking them to join the investigation," Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat told reporters here.
The MPs will be asked to provide details of their foreign travels, the reasons for the trip and their association with travel agents.
Investigators, who have been raiding several places in Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, have recovered 30 passports so far, said an official involved in the probe.
Surendralal Yadav, a pan shop owner and a key suspect had named the four Parliamentarians and former MP Ram Awadh in the case.
Asked whether the MPs would be arrested if they fail to appear for questioning, Bhagat said the police was awaiting the reply from them. "Law will take its course. Arrest is the last step," he said.
On Koli's statement that he had not visited any foreign country, he said "he will have to explain that to the interrogators."
Special teams of the Crime Branch are continuing with their raids in Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
The police was investigating the involvement of various travel agents in the different places with the human trafficking case.
Sources said there appeared to be a "closely-knit" group of five to six travel agents, operating from Delhi, Hyderabad and Ludhiana, who were involved in the racket.
Those involved in the racket were charging the people who were being taken abroad upwards of Rs 20 lakh, they said.
Paramjeet, the woman who was arrested along with Katara, had according to police agreed to pay Rs 30 lakh to the MP for taking her to Canada. She had paid Rs 15 lakh as advance, they said.
Police, meanwhile, said they found some sex stimulants in the suitcase of Katara.
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