Mahesh Kumar not interested in becoming Member (staff): CBI

Mahesh Kumar, the main accused in a bribery case in which nephew of Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has also been arrested, was "not interested" in becoming Member (staff) of Railway Board, CBI has said.

In its FIR registered against eight persons, including Bansal's nephew Vijay Singla, CBI said Kumar had agreed to pay "illegal gratification" of Rs 10 crore co-accused Sandeep Goyal, a businessman, for his appointment at a more lucrative post of Member (electrical) of Railway Board.

"The sources has revealed that Sandeep Goyal has informed Mahesh Kumar and Manjunath (co-accused) that present Chairman, Railway Board, Vinay Mittal, would retire in June 2013 and Member (electrical), Kulbhushan, would be posted as Chairman Railway Board. Sandeep Goyal has assured that once Kulbhushan is appointed as Chairman, Railway Board, he would manage to get Mahesh Kumar appointed as Member (electrical) through his contacts in the Railway Ministry," CBI said.

"Sandeep Goyal demanded an illegal gratification of Rs 10 crore for this purpose, Rs 5 crore in cash before appointment and balance Rs 5 crore after the appointment as Member (electrical). Mahesh Kumar has agreed to the demand of Goyal. He (Kumar) was learnt to be not interested in becoming Member (staff), Railway Board, vacancy for which was existing," the agency said in its FIR.