Narada sting: Calcutta High Court grants interim bail to four political leaders

By LE Desk

Kolkata, May 28: A larger five-judge Calcutta high court bench today granted interim bail to four West Bengal politicians, including two ministers, in the corruption case related to the 2016 Narada sting operation videos that purportedly showed them accepting money in exchange for alleged favours to a fictitious company.

The court last week ordered that the four be kept under house arrest until the larger bench hears the matter following a difference of opinion within a two-judge bench on granting the interim bail.

Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee, the ministers, ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Madan Mitra and former Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee were sent in judicial custody on May 17 after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested them before they were placed under house arrest.

“The court has granted interim bail. They will have to abide by certain conditions imposed by the court,” said Manishankhar Chatterjee, Mukherjee’s lawyer, the Hindustan Times reported.

The acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal-led five-judge bench granted the bail and asked the four to submit personal bonds of ₹2 lakh each and two sureties.

Mitra’s lawyer, Niladri Bhattacharya, said the court has directed the four to join the investigation by video conference and restrained them from speaking about the pending trial. “The interim bail will, however, be subject to final outcome of the case,” he said.

A special CBI court granted the four accused interim bail on the day of their arrest. But the Calcutta high court later on May 17 stayed the bail and sent them in judicial custody.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, who represented the CBI, opposed the interim bail.

Mitra is under treatment at a state-run hospital, while the remaining three have returned home. The four leaders were hospitalised after complaining of illness a day after their arrest. Hakim was admitted to Presidency Correctional Home’s hospital while the rest to state-run SSKM Hospital.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/narada-sting-calcutta-hc-grants-interim-bail-to-four-political-leaders-101622188211496.html