Delhi court to hear arguments on charges in Jagdish Tytler's case on Dec 23

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday fixed December 23 for hearing the arguments on framing of charges in a case in which CBI had chargesheeted Congress leader Jagdish Tytler and businessman Abhishek Verma for allegedly sending a forged letter to the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2009.

Special CBI Judge Gurvinder Pal Singh listed the matter for commencement of arguments on charges as the judge, who was scheduled to hear the case today, was on leave.

"Put up for arguments on charge on December 23, 2014," the court said. The charge sheet was filed by CBI on a complaint of the then Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken alleging that a forged letter on his letterhead was written to the then Prime Minister by Verma seeking easing of business visa norms in 2009.

Tytler and Verma have been chargesheeted for the offence of attempting to cheat under IPC and under Prevention of Corruption Act. Tytler was earlier granted bail by the court after he had appeared before it in pursuance to the summons issued against him.

Verma is lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody after being arrested in various cases lodged against him by CBI and Enforcement Directorate.

CBI had, in its charge sheet, alleged that Tytler had "actively connived" with Verma to cheat a Chinese telecom firm and the Congress leader had first shown a "fake and forged" letter to the company's officials, claiming it was written by Maken to the then Prime Minister.

CBI had also alleged that "investigation has....revealed that Jagdish Tytler had knowingly and actively connived with Abhishek Verma in attempting to cheat M/s ZTE Telecom India Pvt Ltd".