New Delhi: Businessman Ashok Kumar Singh, who has been accused of conspiring to attack the chairman of Steel Authority of India (SAIL), has denied all charges and said that neither he nor his son had any beneficiary relation in a private company which is in dispute with the PSU over quality of coal.
SAIL chairman Anil Kumar Chaudhary was attacked last month on the August Kranti Marg here, when he was on his way to his residence from office.
Anil Kumar Chaudhary was hit with iron rods on his head, neck, knees and legs. His driver was left unharmed in the August 7 incident. The same day, police had arrested Ashok Kumar Singh’s alleged associate Sunil Balhara, a property dealer.
Ashok Kumar Singh, through his lawyer and senior advocate N Hariharan, said that arbitration proceedings between the private company and SAIL are going in the tribunal headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat and only the final award is awaited. “In such circumstances, any act like the alleged attack from his side can only have negative implications for himself,” Hariharan stated.
Ashok Kumar Singh was arrested by the Delhi Police’s crime branch September 6 and a Delhi Court had September 9 granted him bail.
Hariharan said that it is surprising as to how police could make ‘baseless statements’ alleging a conspiracy by his client and that to in a sub-judice matter. Hariharan said that Ashok is complying with the directions of investigating authorities and he has been duly participating in the probe.
A statement released by the counsel, said, “It is to be categorically noted that neither Mr AK Singh nor his son has any beneficiary relation with the contracting company, M/S Sonam Trading FZC. His son is just an authorised representative for Sonam Trading FZC and nothing more.”
The statement also said that the quality aspect is a matter under arbitration and any claim or counter claim regarding the same will be decided by the arbitration award.
“The CMD, SAIL or any other officer whosoever, is not in a position to influence the arbitration and it can only be decided on merit by the Tribunal,” the statement further said.
It dismissed reports ‘that Rs. 30 crore was paid by SAIL as first installment, as part of the contract’.
“The statement is patently incorrect and devoid of any merit. No sum of money in any form has been received by Mr Singh, M/s Sonam Trading FZC or anyone associated with them,” the counsel’s statement added.
Agencies