From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal of the Chhattisgarh government challenging the grant of bail by the High Court to suspended Additional Director General of Police officer Gurjinder Pal Singh in a case filed against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegations of disproportionate assets.
A vacation bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Hima Kohli observed that the Chhattisgarh government moving the apex court against the high court order is “nothing but a totally unwarranted exercise on behalf of the state.”
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Chhattisgarh government, contended that Singh inside the prison bribed the prison guard for a favour and alleged that he is indulging in tampering of evidence, while pointing out that he was a high-ranking officer in the police. Rohatgi urged the bench to cancel Singh’s bail.
However, the bench noted that while considering the bail application, the status of the applicant should not be considered. “As an ordinary citizen is entitled to his rights under the Constitution, equally a high-ranking officer can’t be denied bail…,” said the bench.
The bench noted that in the disproportionate assets case, where most of the evidence is documentary evidence, chances of tampering are bleak. The bench said the high court had already imposed stringent conditions while granting bail to Singh and dismissed the state government’s plea.
In January, the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Singh, who is under suspension, and charged him with corruption, sedition, and promoting enmity.
On January 3,this year, the top court junked a plea by Singh, challenging the high court order, which denied him protection against arrest in a case under Prevention of Corruption Act.
