The application of Rakesh Kumar Singh, the former CEO of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), to be discharged from a 2014 corruption case, has been denied by the scpecial court in Mumbai on Tuesday. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charged Singh with allegedly asking for the bribes for film censorship certifications.
Special Judge S M Menjoge stated that there is prima facie evidence of Rakesh Kumar demanding money and collecting it through agents. The judge also noted that circumstantial evidence could support the demand and acceptance of bribes, even in the absence of direct evidence, warranting the framing of charges.
CBI booked three people, including Singh there is a member of the CBFC, under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Though Singh sought to be cleared from the case, stating that there was no evidence that he had demanded or received a bribe.
Opposing Singh's plea, the CBI cited evidence of him seeking bribes via a co-accused for expedited certification of a Chhattisgarh film, "Mor Dauki ke Bihav," in 2014. Allegations also include him securing an iPad and a laptop to approve a Tamil film, with claims that these items were discarded in the Arabian Sea.
Albeit, Singh has dismissed all the accusations of disposing of items into the sea due to lack of recovery, the court indicated these allegations would be examined during the trial.