New Delhi, Feb 9 (UNI) A Delhi Court on Friday granted interim bail to former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and her daughters, Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav till February, 28 in the Railways Land for Job Scam case.
Special MP/MLAs case’s Judge Vishal Gogne after hearing said, “Applicants/accused Rabri Devi (A-2), Misha Bharti(A-5), Hema Yadav (A-6) and Hridyanand Chaudhary (A-7) are admitted to interim bail till the next date on furnishing personal bonds and surety bonds in the sum of Rs. 1,00,000 each.”
The Judge directed,” Let a copy of the complaint and accompanying documents be provided to accused No.1 to 7.
The matter shall be taken up on the next date for scrutiny of documents and consideration on the bail applications of accused no.2, 5, 6 and 7 as well as the previously filed bail application of accused no.1.
List on 28.02.2024″.
Counsel for Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, Hema Yadav and Hridyanand Chaudhary moved an application for regular bail.
Government Counsel for ED sought a short adjournment for filing a reply to the bail applications.
Counsel for Enforcement Directorate submitted that while the applicants/accused were not arrested during the course of investigation, a reply is still required to be filed for bringing on record any relevant supervening circumstances.
Counsel for accused Rabri and others submitted that the requirement for filing of a reply on behalf of the ED is perfunctory as the accused, for reason of not having been arrested during investigation, are entitled to bail in terms of the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
The court said, ” The course of the present investigation by the ED reflects that the investigating agency did not find it necessary to effect arrest of the applicants/accused persons either with a view to seeking custodial investigation or on account of any perceived threat/coercion upon witnesses. In this scenario, there is presently no basis for them to be committed to custody by the court.
However, taking into account the specific plea of the ED for bringing any supervening plea on record through a reply to the bail applications, the application shall be decided after reply is filed. The applicants/accused shall be admitted to interim bail till then”.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) after investigation under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) filed a chargesheet in the Railways land for job scam case against the accused persons and after taking cognizance on January, 27 the court had issued summon against the acused persons for appearance before the court today.
The court has also issued production warrant against businessman Amit Katyal who was arrested by ED in November last year and presently in judicial custody.
The allegations against Amit Katyal, described as a “close associate” of the Yadav family, railway employee Hridayanand Chaudhary, and two firms, A K Infosystems Pvt. Ltd. and A B Exports Pvt. Ltd., with common Director Shariqul Bari.
It is purported that between 2004 and 2009, individuals were appointed to Group “D” positions within various zones of the Indian Railways, allegedly in exchange for transferring their land as bribes to the family members of the then Railway Minister and a company named A K Infosystems Private Limited.
