A special court in Gurgaon on Monday rejected the bail application of Punjab's industries minister, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in May for his alleged involvement in a GST billing and money laundering racket worth Rs 100 crore.
Witness Tampering Concerns
While dismissing the bail plea, the court noted that the accused had already attempted to influence a witness by paying him Rs 35,000 and asking him to retract his statement. The court expressed concern that if released, the minister might again tamper with evidence or influence other witnesses.
Defense Arguments
The minister's counsel argued that the ED had not found any incriminating evidence linking him to the case, yet he had been in custody for over a month. The defense also alleged that the FIR was registered with malafide intentions driven by political motives.
ED's Stance
The ED countered that the arrest was lawful and that the agency had the right to seek remand for up to 40 days from the date of arrest. Special public prosecutor Simon Benjamin stated, "It is now on record that the petitioner tried to tamper with the evidence as has been disclosed by one of the witnesses. Granting bail at this stage may lead to influencing other witnesses."
Case Details
The case involves the generation of fake GST bills through shell companies engaged in phone trading, with suspected laundering of over Rs 100 crore. The ED alleged that firms linked to the minister conducted suspicious transactions through bogus entities in Delhi.
Court's Observation
Judge Narendra Sura, in the order, remarked that the petitioner is well acquainted with persons having knowledge of the company's affairs and alleged dealings, which could aid in witness tampering. The court concluded, "This court is of the view that the petitioner does not deserve the concession of regular bail at this stage."
