Paid Rs 10 cr ‘protection money’ to Satyender Jain: Conman Sukesh

NEW DELHI: Jailed conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, who is facing several cases of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Money Laundering Act, has written to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena alleging that he was forced to pay Rs 10 crore “protection money” to Aam Aadmi Party minister Satyender Jain.

In his letter to LG Saxena, the conman, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in the national capital, stated that he had known the AAP leader since 2015. Chandrashekhar also alleged that he has been receiving threats and was under pressure from Minister Satyender Jain and Sandeep Goel, the Director General of Prison, Delhi, on corruption and extortion.

Chandrashekhar also sought direction to the investigation agency to file a case on a complaint which has been also given to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

“I am ready to give all evidence supporting my complaint against Satyender Jain of AAP. I am also ready to record my 164 statement before court and judge. But the truth has to be out, as I am not able to keep it inside me anymore. I am being harassed. They and their so-called honest government have to be exposed and shown that even in jail, they are involved high-level corruption,” he said in a letter confirmed by his lawyer.

He further said, “I have been lodged in Delhi jail since 2017 for the case under PC Act and a few economical offences. I have been associated with the Sasikala faction of AIADMK, politically involved in Tamil Nadu and have been in the business of construction, media, mining and corporate lobbying.”

In his letter dated last month, Chandrashekar claimed that the AAP has promised him an important post in the party in the south zone and also to help him to be nominated to Rajya Sabha following the expansion.

“I (Sukesh) have known, Satyender Jain of AAP since 2015, and have contributed more than Rs 50 crore to AAP on the promise of giving me an important post in the party in the south zone and also helping me to be nominated to Rajaya Sabha following the expansion”, said Chandrashekhar.

He also alleged that Satyender Jain had visited him in Tihar Jail several times. “After my arrest in 2017 in the two leaf symbol corruption case, I was lodged in Tihar Jail and was visited by Satyender Jain who holds the portfolio of Jail minister, multiple times, asking me if I had disclosed anything related to my contribution to AAP to the investigating agency which arrested me”, stated the letter.

“Thereafter, in 2019, again I was visited by Satyender Jain and his secretary and his close friend Sushil in jail, and they asked me to pay Rs 2 crore every month to him as protection money to live safely in jail, and to get even basic facilities. Also, he asked me to pay Rs 1.50 crore to DG-Prison Sandeep Goel. The minister’s close aid forced me to pay and the total amount of Rs 10 crore in matter of two-three months was extorted from me through constant pressure”, he added.

The conman said that all the amounts were collected in Kolkata through his associate Chatturwedi. “A total amount of Rs 10 crore was paid to Satyender Jain and Rs 12.50 crore to DG-Prison Sandeep Goel”, he said.

“During the recent investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), I had disclosed about the DG-Prison and also the racket run by the DG and jail administration. I also filed a writ in the High Court of Delhi seeking CBI inquiry, where the court issued notice and the matter is scheduled for hearing next month”, Chandrashekhar said.

He said that he has disclosed all the amounts paid to Satyender Jain, AAP, and DG-Prison to the CBI. “Last month, during an investigation by CB1/ACB Div-5, I had disclosed all the details of amounts paid to Satyender Jain and AAP, and DG-Prison, but no action has been still initiated. Now, Satyender Jain is lodged in Jail-7, Tihar, and he has been threatening me through DG-Prison and the jail administration, asking me to withdraw the complaint filed in the High Court. I have been severely harassed and threatened”, he added.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said that Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s allegations looks like a completely fictitious story planted to divert attention from the Morbi bridge collapse incident.

“The Morbi tragedy occurred the day before yesterday (Sunday). All TV channels raised this issue yesterday (Monday), but it disappeared today (Tuesday) and Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s allegations appeared. Doesn’t this look like a completely fictitious story planted to divert attention from Morbi?” Kejriwal asked at a press conference held on Tuesday. (ANI)