CBI to question TV actor over firm’s alleged bribe

The CBI, which is investigating a corruption case involving director general of corporate affairs B.K. Bansal, is all set to question businessman-cum-TV actor Anuj Saxena.

The agency, sources said, has booked Mr Saxena following allegations that his company had bribed Mr Bansal to ensure that he does not order an inspection by the serious fraud investigation office against his Mumbai-based company Elder Pharmaceuticals for charges of illegal collection of Rs 175 crore from 24,000 investors, diverting funds to companies abroad, and not making returns at the time they were due.

According to sources, Mr Saxena, famous for his roles in different TV serials, is the chief operating officer, chairman-cum-managing director of Elder Pharmaceuticals. He has not yet been arrested by the CBI which has already taken into custody Mr Bansal, middleman Vishwadeep Bansal and two more persons. The agency on Saturday apprehended Mr Bansal in connection with an alleged Rs 20 lakh bribery case. Mr Bansal was held along with another accused from a hotel in the national capital while the bribe was allegedly being exchanged for showing favours to the Mumbai-based firm.

The case emanated from complaints received by the registrar of companies (RoC) in the ministry of corporate affairs from investors who alleged that Elder Pharmaceutic-als had collected over Rs 175 crore from over 24,000 investors under “Companies’ Acceptance of Deposits Rule”.

The company had allegedly lured investors offering attractive rates of interest ranging from 9.5 per cent to 11.5 per cent on deposits ranging from a 12-36 month period. Over 1,000 such complaints were made to RoC, sources said.

The ministry of corporate affairs, sources said, instituted an inspection by regional director (west) Mumbai which said that among other illegal acts the company had allegedly not kept 15 per cent of deposits in liquid form and accepted '138 crore from other companies which was akin to accepting deposits.

CBI is also preparing to register a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case against Bansal as the agency sleuths have recovered documents of 20 properties linked to him and his family members. CBI officials are also scrutinising details of more than 50 bank accounts belonging to him, sources said.