FIR against Union Minister Shekhawat in Rajasthan audio clip case

Jaipur, July 17

An FIR has been filed by the SOG in Rajasthan against Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and two others on the basis of a complaint by Congress whip Mahesh Joshi soon after three audio clips with alleged conversations on toppling of the Ashok Gehlot government were released by the ruling party.

Shekhawat has denied any of the tapes has his voice while another BJP leader said the tapes were doctored.

The clips have recorded purported conversation between Shekhawat, Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma and Jaipur resident and BJP leader Sanjay Jain while discussing plans and actions to topple the Congress government.

Also read:

Congress accuses BJP of horse-trading in Rajasthan; suspends its 2 MLAs

Rajasthan crisis: Audio ‘manufactured’, Cong acting in frustration, says BJP

Rajasthan Congress infighting also brings to fore factionalism in state BJP

HC division bench hears Pilot camp's petition

The Special Operations Group (SOG) team has been actively following the case with many proofs submitted by the ruling Congress, said officials, adding that the case was also registered against Sharma and Jain.

Joshi said that the party already had "subtle proofs" against the three accused as named in the audio clip. "We are going through the legal route," he said.

Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday rejected the Congress’ allegation based on some audio clips that he was part of a conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan, saying his voice is not in those recordings and that he was ready to face any probe.

Shekhawat said: "The voice in the tape is not mine and I am ready for investigation." He also said that he is not in touch with Jain and Sharma and added that there are many people going by the name of Gajendra Singh in the state.

The Congress’ attack on Shekhawat and some rebel Congress leaders, including MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma, came after two audio clips surfaced pertaining to an alleged conspiracy to topple the Gehlot government.

“This is not my voice.... Let there be an investigation. I am ready to face any probe,” the senior BJP leader from the state told reporters here after the Congress demanded his arrest. Later he also tweeted a Sanskrit saying that means "where there is dharma (righteousness), there is victory.”

Sources close to Shekhawat said he would cooperate with any investigation in the matter.

AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also demanded the arrest of one Sanjay Jain, whom he described as a BJP leader.

The BJP has dismissed the audio clips cited by the Congress as “manufactured”.

Earlier in the morning, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala had called a presser and accused the BJP of trying to topple the Gehlot government by indulging in horse-trading.

The Congress is unable to keep its house in order and is blaming the BJP in frustration, the saffron party said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore said that there is no truth in the Congress claims. "All released audio clips have doctored voices," he added. PTI/IANS

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.