Mumbai, Maharashtra – September 30, 2016 – The Special Judge (CBI) for Greater Bombay, P. S. Tarare (C.R. No. 50), today granted bail to Abhishek Kumar Ramjilal Meena (35), a Central Government employee, in Bail Application No. 6 of 2016. Meena was arrested in connection with Case No. RC/BA1/2016/A0031, facing charges under Sections 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections 7, 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The case was registered based on a complaint alleging that Accused No. 1 demanded a bribe of Rs. 5 lakhs, with Rs. 2 lakhs intended for Joint Commissioner Mr. Asgar Zain and Rs. 3 lakhs for Accused No. 1 himself. Subsequently, the demand was reduced to Rs. 3 lakhs, which Accused No. 1 allegedly accepted on September 27, 2016. It was further alleged that Accused No. 2, Abhishek Kumar Ramjilal Meena, accepted Rs. 5,000/- from the complainant, Shri Deepak Dave, for the preparation of an income tax computation form.
Arguments for Bail:
Advocate Mr. Pradeep S. Hingorani, along with Advocate Mr. R L Gurunani, representing Abhishek Kumar Ramjilal Meena, informed the court that Meena was arrested on September 27, 2016, and was in police custody till September 29, 2016, before being moved to magisterial custody. They argued that the material investigation had been completed and that Meena was ready to comply with any conditions set by the court for bail.
CBI’s Opposition:
Mr. Ashok Bagoria, the Public Prosecutor for the CBI, opposed the bail application, stating that the investigation was still in progress. He expressed concerns about the possibility of Meena tampering with prosecution witnesses and the risk of him absconding.
Court’s Reasoning and Decision:
Special Judge P. S. Tarare reviewed the application, the prosecution’s reply, and the case papers. The court observed that Abhishek Kumar Ramjilal Meena is a permanent employee of the Central Government and resides in Mumbai, which negated the possibility of him absconding.
Regarding the corruption trap, the court noted that the “material investigation is completed.” The judge concluded that the purpose of the prosecution would be adequately served if Meena was released on bail with certain conditions.
Bail Conditions:
The court allowed Bail Application No. 6 of 2016, ordering Abhishek Kumar Ramjilal Meena to be released upon executing a Personal Bond (PB) of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only) with one or two solvent sureties of the like amount. The bail is subject to the following conditions:
- Meena shall not leave India without prior permission of the court.
- He shall attend the office of CBI, Mumbai, every Monday between 12:00 noon to 02:00 p.m. for three months from the date of the order and co-operate in the investigation.
- He shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat, or promise to any person acquainted with the case or tamper with the prosecution witnesses in any manner.