Middleman’s bail plea junked in Asthana case

New Delhi, November 13

The Delhi High Court today dismissed the bail plea of middleman Manoj Prasad in a bribery case allegedly involving CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, saying the allegations against him were serious in nature.

Justice Najmi Waziri denied relief to Prasad after noting the CBI’s submission that the investigation is at a crucial stage and illegal gratification was exchanged between the accused outside India also.

“The court is of the view that the allegations are of serious nature... The petition is dismissed,” the judge said after concluding hearing arguments of the counsel for Prasad and the CBI.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Prasad, said he had been in custody for about a month and had not been interrogated even once by the CBI since the time he had been in judicial custody.

The counsel argued that Prasad be granted relief as CBI’s Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar, who was also arrested in the case, was released on bail by the trial court and he was not required for further detention.

Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee and Advocate Rajdipa Behura, appearing for the CBI, opposed the bail plea on the grounds that probe was going on and was at a crucial stage and Prasad’s case was different from that of other accused.

The CBI counsel also argued that the ramifications of the case are far reaching and considering the sensitivity of the case, bail should not be granted to Prasad. Prasad had approached the high court on Monday seeking bail in the case, following dismissal of his similar application by a trial court here on November 3. — PTI