A court today sentenced former Indian Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and a former Cabinet minister to three years in prison for bribery and corruption.
Published:
13 October 2000 y., Friday
A court today sentenced former Indian Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and a former Cabinet minister to three years in prison for bribery and corruption.
Rao, 79, and former Home Minister Buta Singh also were fined $2,150 for bribing legislators in 1993 to back Rao in a crucial confidence vote. Rao's government survived that vote.
"I hereby sentence the accused P.V. Narisimha Rao and Buta Singh to rigorous imprisonment up to three years and a fine of 100,000 rupees ($2,150)," special court judge Ajit Barihoke said.
Rao and Singh also received bail until November 8, to allow them time to appeal the convictions and sentences. Defense lawyers said they would file appeals. Rao and Singh had faced maximum sentences of seven years in jail.
The two were convicted on September 29 of criminal conspiracy, bribery and corruption. Nine other defendants had been acquitted. Rao, who held office from 1991-96, is the first Indian prime minister to be convicted in a criminal case.
Rao became prime minister in elections after Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in 1991. Rao was credited with launching India's free-market reforms. In 1996, Rao led the Congress Party to its worst election defeat in 111 years. He resigned after that loss.
Šaltinis:
europe.cnn.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Taxi driver Santiago Gori found a suitcase in the back of his cab stuffed with the equivalent of 35,000 U.S. dollars.
more »
Today 150 citizens from across the EU met top policy-makers in Brussels to hand over their recommendations on how to tackle the economic and social challenges facing Europe.
more »
These panda cubs playing in a Chinese nature sanctuary are lucky to have seen the light of day. Their pregnant mothers were rescued in the aftermath of last year's huge earthquake.
more »
The clock stands permanently at the time last year's huge earthquake hit the Chinese industrial town of Hanwang. The once-thriving town is now a ruin.
more »
A Spanish punter has won what could be Europe's largest lottery jackpot. The newly wealthy winner beat odds of 76 million to one.
more »
During the draw another five winners of the Danske Bankas monthly Scholarship award (a one off payment to the amount of 250 litas) were announced.
more »
In Mexico City people return to the streets as shops, restaurants and offices reopen their doors after a five day shut down to stem the deadly swine flu outbreak.
more »
The summit comes amid concern about the human cost of the recession in Europe.
more »
Opinion polls in Sweden suggest the Pirate Party could win a seat in June's European elections
more »
The European Parliament wants to make it compulsory for assisting spouses to have social security cover.
more »