NEW DELHI (TIP): The Central Bureau of Investigation or CBI has booked three sitting and three former Rajya Sabha MPs in connection what is being called the Leave Travel Concession or the LTC scam. The investigating agency alleges that the six MPs – D Bandhopadhyay of the TMC, Brajesh Pathak of the BSP, Lalhming Liana of the Mizo National Front and JPN Singh of the BJP, Mahmud Madni of the RLD and Renu Bala Pradhan of the BJD – claimed reimbursements for free air tickets that they got for their companions.

Each MP allegedly claimed fake bills multiple times. Sources in the CBI say while they claimed amounts of up to one lakh rupee per journey, they only paid airport tax for their companions. The residences and offices of the six MPS and some travel agents are being searched in Delhi and Odisha today. “We are looking for documentation or any paperwork to establish that they claimed fake bills,” a senior CBI official said. Sources say the MPs could be questioned by the CBI soon.