New Delhi: Former Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi today (Jan 17, 2004) appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in the cash-for-MLA scam.

Jogi came to the CBI headquarters along with his lawyers after he was served notice for the second time by the investigating agency on January 12.

Jogi had not appeared before the CBI for questioning on January 12, citing the reason that he had filed a petition in the Chattisgarh High Court for quashing of the first information report (FIR).

His appeal for a later date after the court hearing was not adhered by the CBI, who had asked him to appear before the agency between January 15 and January 17, saying that the High Court had not stayed the investigations.

CBI sources said a notice had been served on Jogi asking him to appear before the agency for his voice sample to conduct voice spectography test and taking his fingerprints.

During his appearance, other questions pertaining to the allegations levelled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders would be taken up.

CBI filed an FIR under Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code against Jogi, his son Amit and defected BJP MP P R Khunte for allegedly bribing BJP MLAs and trying to split the party after the December 1 Assembly elections.

Jogi is also likely to be examined on the source of money and why he made the alleged attempt of trying to split the BJP, which had won absolute majority in the elections.

The sources said his fingerprints would be matched with those on the currency notes allegedly paid by him to BJP MLA Virender Pandey and party's Bastar MP Baliram Kashyap.

CBI had taken voice samples of everyone except Jogi for the voice spectography test, which will ascertain whether the audiotape was doctored or not.

CBI has so far examined 29 people, including Khunte and other legislators, in connection with the scam.

The CBI has also questioned Jogi's staff, including his driver, and others besides taking the voice samples of all those on the audio tape on which Jogi was purportedly heard offering bribe to Pandey for splitting the BJP legislature party.