Mumbai: Eleven years after then Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) CEO Rakeshkumar Singh was booked by the CBI for allegedly accepting bribes amounting to lakhs of rupees for speedy clearance certificates for big-budget movies and a minimum of Rs 10,000 for promotional films and advertisements, a special court on Tuesday rejected his plea for discharge from the case. The judge said that the demand for money by Singh is prima facie appearing.
“He was collecting the amount through his agents. Demand and acceptance of the amount can be proved by circumstantial evidence also, as many times direct evidence is not available. It can be proved only after the recording of evidence. Hence, there is sufficient material to frame a charge. Therefore, he cannot be discharged as prayed,” Special Judge SM Menjoge said.
Seeking discharge from the case, Singh submitted that he was arrested on Aug 18, 2014, following a complaint by one Pravin Mohare. He further submitted that there was no demand, acceptance, or recovery of a bribe. He also pointed out that the CEO of the CBFC is not solely responsible for issuing certificates, as this task is assigned to a randomly selected screening committee. Singh said that the CBI has not yet obtained his voice sample to substantiate any alleged demand for a bribe. He stated that he was exonerated in the departmental inquiry.
Opposing the plea, the prosecution submitted that Singh demanded Rs 70,000 through Shripati Mishra, an authorised censor certification agent, for issuing a certificate to the film ‘Mor Dauki Ke Bihav’ before Aug 15, 2014. Consequently, the complainant, Pravin Mohare, filed a complaint with the CBI. The investigation revealed a disclosure statement from Sarvesh Jaiswal, who stated that, on the instructions of Rakesh Kumar, he obtained a bribe of Rs 1.06 lakh and handed it over to Singh. Furthermore, it was revealed that Singh accepted an iPad and a laptop to clear the Tamil film ‘Anjaan’, but subsequently disposed of these items in the Arabian Sea to conceal them. The CBI filed a chargesheet against three accused, including Singh. — Rebecca Samervel
