Buta Singh also refuted claims of the CBI that he met the complainant. 'I was travelling at the time when the investigating agency is claiming that I met that person (Patil).'

Asked if there was any pressure on him to resign, he said: 'Only media is creating pressure... I will give an explanation before the appropriate forum when needed.'

The former minister also alleged that the CBI was working at the behest of a man who 'already faces 12 cases against him of different charges'.

On Saturday, the CBI seized three unlicensed pistols and 38 cartridges from Sweety Singh's Jangpura residence in south Delhi. A case under the Arms Act was registered against him at the Nizamuddin police station.

About the pistols found in his son's house, Buta Singh said: 'My son was a shooting champion and all the guns are licensed but only my son knows where the licences are.'

Responding to Buta Singh's allegation, CBI director Ashwani Singh told reporters here: 'Investigations in the case are on and we have not taken any stand on whether we have to question Buta Singh or not. But we will work purely under the ambit of the law.'

According to the CBI, the corruption case against Sweety Singh follows a complaint from Ramraj Patil. Patil alleged that Sweety Singh demanded a bribe of Rs.30 million for the withdrawal of a case filed against Patil by a group of conservancy workers employed by him (Patil).

Patil is a garbage collection contractor with the Nashik Municipal Corporation. Some 100 workers complained he was not paying their wages and had taken a bank loan of Rs.100 million (Rs.10 crore) in their name.