Former Indian prime minister receives three-year sentence

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.