For the first time in 18 years, a Congress leader took the charge of Railway Ministry. And, within a few months, his nephew was arrested in a bribery scandal. Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal’s nephew Vijay Singla and Mahesh Kumar, a member of the Railway Board were arrested by the CBI last night.

Singla has been charged with accepting bribe of Rs 90 lakh from Mahesh Kumar who wanted a plum post with absolute power. The deal was worth Rs 2 crore. Manjunath, who was said to be close to Mahesh Kumar, was also involved in the deal. Mahesh was promoted to the Railway Board as its Member (Staff) only on Thursday.

The CBI arrested another person Sandip Goyal, who brokered the deal. The latest development has put Pawan Kumar Bansal in a fix. The Minister has sought to distance himself from his nephew and the bribery scandal. However, it is believed that he may have to resign to save the UPA Government from further embarrassment.