CBI opposes anticipatory bail plea of TV actor

New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) CBI today opposed the anticipatorybail plea of TV actor Anuj Saxena before a Delhi court in agraft case involving Director General of Corporate Affairs B KBansal, alleging he played an active role in the commission ofthe offence. The agency submitted before Special CBI Judge GurdeepSingh that Saxena, also the Chief Operating Officer of ElderPharmaceuticals, had played a direct role in bribing Bansal toensure that he does not order an SFIO inspection against hisfirm on charges of illegal collection of Rs 175 crore from24,000 investors, diversion of funds to companies abroad andnot giving returns on time. Advocate K P Singh, appearing for the probe agency, toldthe court that the Saxena had played an active role incommission of the offence and CBI had recordings of the phoneconversations of the accused persons. While seeking bail for Saxena, known for roles in soaps"Kkusum" and "Kumkum", senior advocate K K Manan said that hisclient did not have any direct link with the case and therewas only a disclosure statement of a co-accused. He claimed that CBI had tapped the accused’ phone but noincriminating material was found against the actor and that hewas ready to join the investigation. The court reserved the order on Saxena’s plea fortomorrow. According to CBI, an FIR was registered against Saxenaalleging that his company Elder Pharmaceuticals had bribedBansal to ensure that he does not order an SFIO inspection oncharges against him. Saxena, who is COO and Chairman-cum Managing Director ofthe firm, has not been arrested by CBI which has taken intocustody Bansal, middleman Vishwadeep Bansal and two moreprivate persons. Bansal is at present out on interim bail granted by thecourt till August 22 following the alleged suicide by his wifeand daughter after his arrest. (More) PTI UKSC