The Tribune, January 25, 2002

Huge debt behind plot to kill ex-minister
Tribune News Service

Panipat, January 24
A former Haryana Minister, Mr Om Prakash Jain, plot to kill whom was unearthed by the police on January 21, today admitted that he and his brother owed a large amount of money to several financial institutions, including Karnal-based Rakesh, who allegedly hired a gunman to kill the minister.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Jain, however, refused to divulge the details of total borrowings saying that borrowings were an integral part of the trade. When asked how much amount they (Jains) owed to Rakesh, he evaded the question saying that his brother, who managed his business, might be knowing the amount.

Saying that there was unprecedented recession in their oil and rice trade, Mr Jain claimed that the principal amount was returned to Rakesh.

It may be recalled that the police had arrested three persons on the night of January 20, including main accused in the sensational Joginder Kaur murder, Sandeep, and exposed a plot to kill Mr Jain and kidnap his son allegedly at the behest of Rakesh. Sandeep allegedly had been promised Rs 1 crore to eliminate Mr Jain, the police had claimed. Rakesh was also arrested later.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Jains owed crores of rupees to the Haryana Financial Corporation, the SBI and Rakesh. Sources said the Jains owed at least Rs 7 crore to HFC alone.

The case relating to financial matters with the SBI was pending before the BIFR and its ruling would be honoured by us, Mr Jain added.