The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to a man accused of impersonating an aide of the Prime Minister to extort money from individuals. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh, observed that the accused had been in custody for over a year and the trial was unlikely to conclude soon.
Case Background
The petitioner, identified as Rakesh Kumar, was arrested in 2023 for allegedly posing as a personal assistant to the Prime Minister and demanding money from several people in exchange for government contracts. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered a case against him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating and criminal conspiracy.
Legal Arguments
Senior advocate representing Kumar argued that his client was a victim of a conspiracy and that there was no substantial evidence linking him to the crime. He highlighted that the key witnesses had turned hostile and that the investigation was biased. On the other hand, the CBI opposed the bail plea, stating that the accused was a habitual offender and could tamper with evidence if released.
The Supreme Court, after hearing both sides, noted that the accused had been in jail for more than 14 months and that the trial was at a preliminary stage. The court also observed that the CBI had not provided any concrete evidence to suggest that the accused would abscond or influence witnesses.
Court's Decision
While granting bail, the court imposed certain conditions, including that the accused must surrender his passport and report to the investigating officer once a week. He was also directed not to make any direct or indirect contact with the witnesses or victims. The bench clarified that the observations made during the bail hearing would not influence the trial.
Implications
This case highlights the misuse of the Prime Minister's name for fraudulent activities. Legal experts believe that the court's decision underscores the principle that bail is the rule and jail is the exception, especially when the trial is delayed. The CBI is expected to expedite the trial to ensure justice is served.
The accused's family expressed relief after the bail order, stating that they had faith in the judiciary. Meanwhile, the victims of the alleged extortion have expressed disappointment, fearing that the accused might repeat such offenses.
