Delhi Court Convicts Congress MLA in Cooperative Bank Forgery Scandal
A Delhi court has delivered a significant verdict, convicting Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti from Datia and his co-accused Raghuvir Sharan Prajapati in a high-profile cheating and forgery case involving a cooperative bank. The court found clear and compelling evidence of manipulation of fixed deposit records, specifically through the use of correction fluid to alter the tenure of a deposit.
Court's Firm Stance: "Documents Do Not Lie"
Judge Dig Vinay Singh, presiding over the case, emphasized the undeniable nature of the evidence with the statement "documents do not lie." This principle formed the cornerstone of the conviction, as the court meticulously examined bank records that showed tampering with a fixed deposit originally opened in 1998.
The 67-year-old Bharti has been remanded to jail pending sentencing, with the quantum of punishment scheduled for hearing on Thursday. The legal implications are substantial: if sentenced to two or more years imprisonment, Bharti faces automatic termination of his assembly membership, potentially altering the political landscape in Datia.
Detailed Charges and Criminal Conspiracy
The court found Bharti guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code:
- Section 120B: Criminal conspiracy
- Section 420: Cheating
- Section 467: Forgery of valuable securities
- Section 468: Forgery for purposes of cheating
- Section 471: Dishonest use of forged documents
The case centers on a fixed deposit of Rs 10 lakh opened in the name of Bharti's mother, Savitri Shyam. According to the complaint filed by Zila Sahkari Krishi Aur Grahmin Vikas Bank, the accused conspired to alter bank records to extend the deposit tenure from three years to fifteen years, thereby enabling them to unlawfully draw higher interest payments over an extended period.
Judge's Observations on Bharti's Central Role
Judge Singh noted Bharti's dual positions during the period when the fraud occurred: he served as both trustee of the beneficiary trust and chairperson of the bank. The court concluded that this combination of roles provided Bharti with both the opportunity and authority to facilitate the criminal conspiracy.
"Based on the material on record, it gives rise to no other inference that he was part of the criminal conspiracy with accused Prajapati, Savitri, and possibly some unknown persons in cheating the bank after committing forgery," the judge stated in the order.
Dismissal of Defense Arguments
The court firmly rejected Bharti's claim of political targeting, describing it as "all speculation." Judge Singh highlighted the timeline discrepancy, noting that "it is a case of forgery of bank documents and cheating the bank from 1998 to 2011, which is long before the alleged political rivalry claimed by Bharti."
Similarly, Prajapati's defense that he acted under instructions or coercion was dismissed as false and inconsistent. The judge pointed to evidence showing Prajapati received "several out-of-turn promotions as undue favours from Bharti, which served as a quid pro quo for the forgery."
Political Context and Recent Election Victory
The conviction comes just months after Bharti's significant electoral victory in November 2023, when he won the assembly election from Datia by defeating senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra by a margin of nearly 8,000 votes. This legal development now casts uncertainty over his political future and representation of the constituency.
The case represents a serious breach of trust in financial institutions and highlights the legal consequences for public officials involved in financial fraud. The detailed judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to following documentary evidence regardless of the political stature of those involved.
