A CBI Court has asked the investigating agency to frame charges against the accused in a bribery case involving a former CLB member, Mr R. Vasudevan and four others.

In a separate order, the CBI (Patiala House) Court of Ms Swarna Kanta Sharma, special judge, directed beginning of trial in August.

The others accused included a chartered accountant and Mr Harsh V. Lodha (also the Chairman of Birla Corporation). When asked about the CBI court order, Mr Lodha told Business Line that he was outside the country.

The case dates back to 2009, when the then Company Law Board member, Mr Vasudevan, was accused by CBI for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 7 lakh in relation to a case over ownership battle in a media company – Amar Ujala. The CBI Court made out charges of criminal conspiracy and abatement against the accused under the Indian Penal Court and Prevention of Corruption Act.

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