Court to pronounce quantum of sentence to Sukhram today

Court to pronounce quantum of sentence to Sukhram todayNew Delhi, Feb 25 : A Delhi court will pronounce the quantum of sentence to former Union Communication Minister Sukhram in connection with a disproportionate assets case today.

On Tuesday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) pleaded before a court to give the maximum punishment of seven years to Sukhram.

Special CBI prosecutor Gurdial Singh told Special CBI Judge V K Maheshwari that Sukhram is liable for a maximum sentence under the Prevention of Corruption Act as the wealth was collected during his tenure as a Minister.

Advocate S P Minocha, who is representing Sukhram, pleaded for a lenient approach on account of the minister''s poor health.

On February 20, the court had said, Sukhram, a cabinet colleague of Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, amassed disproportionate assets, both movable and immovable, to the tune of Rs 5.36 crore between 1991 and 1996.

Maheshwari had reserved his judgment in the case on February 17 after the CBI and the former minister''s counsel wrapped up their arguments.

Meanwhile, Sukhram claimed innocence, saying he was a victim of political rivalry between then Prime Ministers H D Deve Gowda and Rao. (ANI)

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