Land scam: CBI arrests Ashok Malhotra

Ashok Malhotra, the Delhi Assembly canteen vendor and land scam kingpin has been arrested by the CBI from the studios of Zee TV in the Noida area.

He has been taken for questioning to the CBI headquarters in New Delhi.

Fifty-two cars, allegedly belonging to Malhotra, have also been seized by the CBI from a parking lot near his residence.

The CBI has charged Malhotra with grabbing plots meant for slum-dwellers and having them allotted to private parties.

''Investigation is in a very initial stage. No one will be spared. Anybody of any stature found to have played a role will not be spared. All that's possible is being done to unravel the scam,'' said Vijay Shankar, CBI Director.

Ashok Malhotra meanwhile has been maintaining that there was nothing illegal in his possessing the fleet of cars.

''Ashok Malhotra had to surrender to the Court but we made him surrender through the Zee TV studio. The CBI has arrested him and will present him in the court and we will fight his case,'' said Ashok Malhotra's lawyer.

Malhotra had gone missing for five days after the scam broke.