Delhi court rejects bail plea of MHA official in jacket scam case

A CBI court here today rejected the bail plea of a senior Home Ministry official in a scam involving purchase of bullet-proof jackets for central para-military forces saying the matter was of "serious nature"

"Considering the serious nature of offence and involvement of a very senior officer, I am of the considered opinion that the accused does not deserve to be granted bail at this stage," Additional Sessions Judge OP Saini said, dismissing the application of Radhey Shyam Sharma.

The court allowed the plea of CBI prosecutor that this was not the stage for grant of bail as the probe in the matter was at nascent stage.

Earlier, senior advocate Ramesh Gupta sought bail for Sharma, an Indian Railway and Engineering Officer of 1984 batch, saying the accused was in judicial custody after the CBI did not seek his custodial interrogation.

"The probe, vis-a-vis Sharma, is over. The accused is willing to comply with any condition which could be imposed on him as a pre-condition for grant of bail," Gupta said, adding he was willing to cooperate with the CBI.

Sharma is accused of accepting Rs 10 lakh as bribe in the purchase of bullet-proof jackets for central para-military forces.

The MHA officer, along with R K Gupta and his wife Laveena Gupta, both directors of a Delhi-based company involved in production of defence equipment, are booked under various provisions of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act dealing with giving and accepting bribe and conspiracy.

Sharma has also been charged with misconduct on the part of a public servant.

The court on May 4 had dismissed the bail application of Laveena.

The CBI has alleged that Laveena, along with her husband RK Gupta, gave Rs 10 lakh as bribe to seek favours from Sharma.

All the three accused are in judicial custody till June 8.