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Prashant Bhushan alleges corruption in defence deals | Supreme Court lawyer and Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan has alleged that there is major corruption in defence
deals and named a middleman, who is also the son of a lawmaker, as one of the persons involved. Addressing mediapersons here, Bhushan highlighted the role of
businessman and alleged middleman Abhishek Verma, who is the son of lawmakers
Shrikant and Veena Verma in manipulating the deals and getting them sanctioned
by using his influence in government circles. He said Verma's U.S based partner
made several attempts to alert the Indian Government and important ministers over
kickbacks and illegal practices, but his suggestion was never entertained. "Substantial
evidences against Abhishek Verma were provided to the government,-the Central
Vigilance Commission, Enforcement Directorate, the Defence Minister and the Prime
Minister by his partner stating that Verma is involved in multiple defence deals
as a middleman. There is proof of money being transferred into Verma's accounts,"
said Bhushan. Raising doubts over the government will to investigate the matter,
Bhushan said: "Despite knowing everything and also that Verma is the main accused
in the Navy War Room leak, which means that India's defence secrets are being
sold away to other countries, he has been released on bail and no effort is being
made to arrest him or investigate all these matters. What does this show?" Drawing
example from the exposure, Right to Information (RTI) activist Arvind Kejriwal,
called for the immediate formation of a strong anti-corruption Lokpal Bill to
combat graft. "The main conclusion that can be drawn is that it exposes how our
country runs on extraction of commission, how the country's security is threatened,
it seems that the people on top are involved in this 'commission raj.' Everyone
knows whom to deliver the commission, who can get work done? And these people
are collecting commissions for people placed in the government other than exposing
that it is the job of government agencies like the CBI and the ED not to stop
graft but shield the culprits," he said. "Hence it is extremely important that
that an independent Janlokpal Bill is brought which is free from the grip of the
government. Also the CBI and ED will have to be made independent from the government's
control," he added. Abhishek Verma is also a key accused in the 2008 Navy War
room leak case and is out on bail.
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