New Delhi : Union Home Ministry Under Secretary Anand Joshi, who went missing after charges of corruption were slapped against him and was later arrested, was on Monday sent to the CBI custody till May 20 by a Delhi Court.
The top investigative agency had sought five day custody of the officer accused of indulging in murky deals with NGOs from the Patiala House Court.
Joshi, who was found hiding at a relative’s residence in Tilak Nagar, had left home in Indirapuram ahead of his questioning by the CBI on May 11. He had left behind an emotional letter for his family in which he claimed to be subjected to mental harassment.
In a moving appeal to his wife, Joshi wrote, “I am leaving home. Please do not look for me. Now, you (his wife) have to take care of kids by becoming both father and mother”.
Joshi, who stands accused of issuing of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) notices arbitrarily to NGOs for financial gains, further said in his letter that he had never imagined that his ‘patriotism’ and integrity would lead to such a situation wherein he has been accused of corruption.
Posted in the MHA’s Foreigners Division, Joshi reportedly had access to files related to Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). He is accused of accepting bribes for getting FCRA clearances done.
Joshi has, however, refuted the charges, saying he was ‘pressurised’ by his superiors to give a clean chit to some organisations.
The CBI had last Monday registered case against the Under Secretary under Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prevention of Corruption Act after conducting raids at four locations, including Joshi’s residence and office.
The CBI had said that cash worth Rs. 7.5 lakh and certain ‘incriminating documents’, including files pertaining to THE MHA and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, were recovered from the premises of the officer during the raid. (ANI)