New Delhi: A trial court granted
bail
to chief minister Arvind
Kejriwal’s
principal secretary
,
Rajendra Kumar, on Tuesday, in a
corruption
case.
The court said no purpose would be served by keeping him behind bars, pointing out that the case is based on documentary evidence and Kumar has already been in custody for 23 days. In an embarrassment for CBI, special
CBI judge Arvind Kumar also raised doubts on CBI’s allegation that Kumar was threatening witnesses and said the agency itself did not consider the threat a “serious” one. The CBI had made this allegation while opposing Kumar’s bail plea. However, Kumar’s counsel, Mohit Mathur, had rebutted the agency’s claim, asking that if the alleged threat was made to the witness in March, why did it not arrest his client earlier.
“So far as the contention of CBI that the accused has threatened witnesses is concerned, it will be worthwhile to mention that the statement of one witness was recorded by CBI on 01.03.2016...The accused was not arrested even after recording of the statement of the said witness for four months, although the CBI’s probe continued. It only shows that the CBI itself did not consider the threat to be a real one to take immediate action against the accused,” observed the court.
The court also observed that the “senior government servant” had joined the investigation whenever he was called by the CBI and that he has also been interrogated during custody. The court stressed that the case was based on documents, pointing out that the CBI “admittedly collected documents showing the impugned money trail.”
Though court, however, imposed certain conditions on Kumar, including that of not influencing the probe. It directed Kumar to not contact any witness or tamper with evidence. It also asked him not to leave Delhi without its permission and that he would have to join the join the investigation whenever CBI required him. The judge warned that any violation would lead to cancellation of the bail. Kumar was granted bail on a personal bond and surety of Rs 1 lakh. “The accused is a resident of Delhi and has roots in the society. The accused is in custody for 23 days. No purpose will be served by keeping the accused behind bars...,” the court said.
Kumar, along with four others, had been arrested by the CBI on July 4 this year in connection with a case of allegedly showing undue favours to a private company, Endeavour Systems Pvt Ltd (ESPL), which was allegedly floated at his behest. The CBI had strongly opposed Kumar’s bail plea and told the court that allegations against him were serious and the money trial was being probed. “The allegation as to whether the company, Endeavour Systems Pvt Ltd, was promoted at his behest or in what manner he was concerned with it... can only be analysed during the trial,” said the court.