Buta to cooperate with CBI if 'proper procedures' followed

New Delhi, Aug 2 (PTI) Sticking to his decision of not
resigning following the arrest of his son by CBI (Central
Bureau of Investigation) in a bribery case, NCSC chairman Buta
Singh Sunday said he has "briefed" Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and that he will cooperate with the probe agency if
"proper procedures" were followed.

"I have briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding
the facts. He has responded positively and sought more
details," he said without divulging on how the matter was
communicated to the Prime Minister.

"I am also seeking an appointment to meet him and explain
my position," Singh, the Chairman of National Commission for
Scheduled Castes, told reporters here.

Accusing the CBI of "framing" him, Singh said he will not
resign from his post.

"I will not resign. CBI is not working as an investigating
agency and targeting me at the behest of some people. CBI is
framing me. Arresting my son in a false case is in fact aimed
at targeting me politically. CBI used my son to target me," he
alleged, claiming, "I am being victimised".



Asked whether he is ready to face questioning by the CBI,
he said, "I am ready to answer to all charges. I will fully
cooperate if proper procedures are followed."

"I am competent to defend myself. Why should I trouble
others," he said when asked whether he would meet Congress
President Sonia Gandhi on the issue.

The CBI arrested Singh's son Sarobjit on Friday in Mumbai
on charges of demanding a bribe of Rs one crore from a Nashik-
based contractor to close a case pending before the Commission
against him.

Buta Singh, who had fought as a rebel candidate from
Jalore Lok Sabha seat in Rajasthan in this year's election,
expressed regret for fighting against Congress. "My action was
not in the interest of the party," he acknowledged.

The expelled Congress leader, however, said "I am a
Congress man and I abide by the Congress ideology."

He also claimed the support of the Maharashtra Chief
Minister Ashok Chavan.

"The CM has said in Nanded that Buta Singh is a senior
Congress leader and currently he is heading a constitutional
body. This is a political conspiracy by opposition parties,"
Singh claimed. PTI ARU