In connection to an alleged scam of Rs 35 crores involving the Land Development Authority and Bank of Baroda, a Delhi Court has granted bail to an accused. The court, acknowledging the additional sections invoked by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the accused to defeat his right to default bail, allowed the bail of Nilesh Bhatt. Special Judge Manoj Kumar’s recent order mandates the accused to furnish a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh with one surety of a similar amount. The court considered the defense’s argument that the offenses against the accused are not punishable with death, life imprisonment, or a term of not less than ten years, citing a Supreme Court judgment. Counsel for the accused contended that over sixty days have passed since the first remand order without a police report filed in the case. They further asserted that the accused was falsely implicated.
The Public Prosecutor countered, stating that the court was informed about the invocation of sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant, banker) and 467 (forgery) of the IPC before the bail plea, and thus, the accused cannot claim default bail. The case revolves around the investment of Rs 35 crores by Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) with Bank of Baroda, later transferred to another account using forged signatures. While Bhatt is one of the accused, the arrest memo did not indicate his arrest for offenses under Section 467, 409 IPC, or for conspiracy or abetment of the offenses.
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