Surat police plans to question Asaram Bapu whom it suspects, had a role in the conspiracy to bribe police and other institutions to weaken the case against his son Narayan Sai who is in custody for alleged sexual assault.The police had stumbled upon a bribery racket of Rs 13 crore of which it recovered Rs eight crore and arrested sub inspector CM Kumbhani of Surat crime branch, a builder and mall owner Ketan Patel, Uday Sanghani, a close associate of Sai and Dhiraj Patel, a car driver Thursday night.

Sources in the police department claimed that Sai while in Surat police crime branch custody custody during his remand period became very friendly with sub inspector Kumbhani. Under Sai’s direction, Kumbhani met Uday Sanghani outside the police station and assured him that he is with Sai and can do favours for him, if he is paid well.

Uday apparently was not convinced and told Kumbhani that he would arrange for the money after talking to Sai.

Kumbhani smuggled Sanghani inside Sai’s lock up on Monday morning and put up a tough police cordon outside the crime branch, not allowing anybody inside. Sanghani and Sai met about the monetary deal to crack up the judiciary, police, jail authorities and doctors of New Civil hospital. It was decided to split Rs 13 crore among them, after a telephonic discussion

with Asaram Bapu.

Sanghani then arranged for the money with the help of Sai’s associates.

A complaint in this connection was lodged with crime branch police station by Assistant Commissioner of police J K Jhala. However Sai who is also accused in the conspiracy of cash deal would be re-arrested later in this case, as at present he is Surat police remand for sexual assault case, registered with Jehangirpura police station.

The arrested ones during interrogation, confessed that the money was meant to provide facilities to Narayan Sai, weaken the case, influence judiciary, government doctors and jail authorities.

Surat police commissioner Rakesh Asthaana said, “We have started investigations in the bribe case and we will question many people, who directly involved in this matter. Narayan Sai is also accused in this bribe case and he would arrested soon, after his remand period ends.”