Rs 30 lakh sought for ‘favourable order’; lawyer, aide arrested

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a lawyer for demanding Rs 30 lakh in lieu of getting “favourable orders" from a Bathinda Court in a divorce matter.

The accused, identified as advocate Jatin Salwan and his aide Satnam Singh, were produced before a court, which sent them to judicial custody till Monday. They were arrested by the agency on August 14. The CBI has filed a plea before the court, seeking their remand. Both accused were arrested on a written complaint received from Harsimranjit Singh of Ferozepur city on August 13.

It was alleged that the advocate demanded Rs 30 lakh in lieu of getting “favourable orders" from the Bathinda court in the divorce matter of his cousin sister by using his personal influence on the judicial officer.

After investigation, a trap was laid and the accused were arrested allegedly with Rs 4 lakh in cash.

In the FIR, the CBI claimed that Jatin Salwan had asked the complainant to make the payment in full but on negotiation with him, the advocate asked to give at least Rs 5 lakh as first instalment.

Punjab