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Buta files appeal in JMM bribery case

Buta Singh, in his appeal filed in the court registry, claimed that the special judge had 'erred' in holding him guilty of bribing four JMM Members of Parliament and 'failed' to consider that the 'prosecution had not been able to bring any incriminating evidence' against him.

Singh's counsel Satish Tamta told reporters, "There was neither any direct nor circumstantial evidence to draw the inference of conspiracy against my client." The appeal is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday.

He said the conviction was entirely based on the 'uncorroborated testimony' of approver Shailendra Mahto, one of the four JMM leaders who was allegedly bribed.

The trial court failed to appreciate that the approver himself 'is unworthy of any reliance' because he had been telling innumerable 'lies' on the issue, he alleged.

The special CBI court in New Delhi had sentenced Rao and Singh to three years imprisonment on October 12 and also imposed a fine of Rs 200,000 on each of them. The court had said that on failure to pay the fine, they would have to undergo further imprisonment of six months.

An associate of Rao's counsel R K Anand said that appeal by the former prime minister would be filed only after Anand returns from abroad.

PTI

The JMM bribery case: The full coverage

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