Anti corruption Court Denies Bail to Director In Corruption Case

Jammu, November 17: Special Judge Anticorruption Kashmir R N Wattal rejected the bail application of Zaheer Abbas Bhatti, Director M/s Social Welfare of India-a NGO, who was booked by ACB Kashmir in case FIR N0.12/2020 U/S 5 (1) (C), 5 (1) (d), 5 (2) PC Act-2006 and 120 RPC of ACB Srinagar Branch pertaining to the allegations of fraud, corruption, and embezzlement of public money in Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan Scheme.

It added that from the evidence collected by the prosecution till date as reveals from the police report, there are genuine reasonable grounds that the petitioner has committed offences as referred in FIR. In light of the incriminating material that has come fore against the petitioner during the investigation, the stage is not right to grant bail in favour of the petitioner. The investigation in the case is still in its infancy.

Moreover, the involvement of some influentials who were part of criminal conspiracy with the petitioner, the investigation qua their role is going on.

The concession of bail at this stage shall undeniably prejudice and obstruct the further course of the investigation as material witnesses being influenced with, cannot be ruled out.

Petitioner’s involvement is in economic offences. Economic offences are committed with cool, calm intent and planned design with an eye on personal profit regardless of the consequences and its adverse effect on the society. These offences affecting the economy very much fall within the category of grave offences.

The court further added that on this count also petitioner does not deserve the concession of bail at this stage.