Jaisinghani granted bail but not released as one case pending

MUMBAI: A special trial court on Monday granted bail to Anil Jaisinghani, an alleged bookie who had been booked for offences of extortion and under the Prevention of Corruption Act earlier this year for allegedly trying to bribe and extort money from the deputy chief minister’s wife.

Jaisinghani will not be released though, as he has another case pending before the Esplanade court.

The Malabar Hill police station had registered an FIR against Jaisinghani and his daughter on February 20 for allegedly threatening to make public certain audio and video clips concerning the DCM’s wife Amruta Fadnavis.

The father-daughter duo was booked for offences under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 385 (extortion) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 8 (induce public servant using corrupt means) and 12 (abetment) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

On Monday, a special court heard Ajay Misar as special public prosecutor for the anti-corruption bureau who opposed the bail. For Jaisinghani, Sudip Pasbola argued for bail.

The judge, in his order allowing the bail plea, noted that the investigating officer, Ravi Sardesai, was present and directed release of the accused on execution of a personal bond of Rs 50,000. Conditions imposed are that he will attend the court each day and not threaten or induce any prosecution witnesses. Jaisinghani also has to surrender his passport and not leave India without prior trial court permission.

Jaisinghani’s daughter Aniksha was granted bail on March 27 by a sessions court.

Mumbai: Sessions court grants bail to bookie Anil Jaisinghani

Anil Jaisinghani, an alleged bookie accused of extortion and bribery, has been granted bail by a special trial court in Mumbai. Jaisinghani and his daughter were booked for threatening to release audio and video clips involving the wife of the deputy Chief Minister. The court ordered Jaisinghani to attend daily court hearings, surrender his passport, and not threaten any prosecution witnesses. His daughter was previously granted bail in the case. In April, Jaisinghani's petition claiming his arrest was illegal was rejected by the Bombay High Court.

Supreme Court fumes at lower courts not granting bail

The Supreme Court has expressed its frustration over lower courts and high courts denying bail to accused individuals in cases involving minor offenses, despite the apex court's previous orders to be more lenient. The court stated that a significant number of cases should be dealt with at lower levels, rather than being brought to the Supreme Court. The court also emphasized the need to increase the number of courts to manage the burden of cases and ensure timely resolutions. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office has been directed to provide a response regarding why bail should not be granted to the petitioner, considering other accused individuals in the case have been granted relief.

Court rejects bail for Viveka case accused

Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana HC has denied bail to Yadati Sunil Yadav, one of the accused in the murder case of former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy. The judge dismissed Yadav's plea, stating that the case is still being investigated and there is a risk of witnesses being influenced if he is released on bail. In another case, the Bombay High Court reserved its decision on the bail plea of Mahesh Raut, a researcher accused in the Elgar Parishad case. The NIA opposed the bail plea, presenting evidence of Raut's involvement in terror offences. The court also condoned a delay in filing an appeal against a bail rejection, emphasizing that access to justice should not be denied due to technicalities.