Chandigarh: CBI court issues arrest warrant against MC official in Smart City banking case

According to the CBI, Mishra was handling Smart City-related banking matters in the MC’s accounts branch and was in possession of purported fixed deposit receipts and other documents

The special CBI Court in Chandigarh has issued a warrant of arrest against municipal corporation (MC) Chandigarh official Anubhav Mishra for allegedly evading the investigation into a case involving Smart City related banking transactions. Mishra is an accused in a case registered by the CBI under provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, along with Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to the CBI court there were reasonable grounds to believe that the accused was unlikely to join the process of law and that his presence was essential for a fair and complete investigation. (HT File)

Special judge Bhawna Jain passed the order on Friday on an application moved by the CBI seeking a non-bailable warrant against Mishra. The court noted that despite repeated efforts and notices issued by the investigating agency, Mishra had not joined the investigation.

According to the CBI, Mishra was handling Smart City-related banking matters in the MC’s accounts branch and was in possession of purported fixed deposit receipts and other documents. The agency said he initiated the proposal for opening the MC’s bank account with IDFC First Bank, Sector 32, Chandigarh.

The CBI further claimed that Mishra was actively connected with the financial and banking processes relevant to the case and that analysis of digital evidence revealed continuous communication between him, accused Abhay Kumar and other bank officials named as accused.

The court noted that Mishra’s third application seeking anticipatory bail had been dismissed, while his earlier two applications were withdrawn. He subsequently approached the Punjab and Haryana high court seeking anticipatory bail. His petition is listed for October 13.

The CBI court observed that, prima facie, Mishra appeared to be deliberately evading the investigation despite being aware of the requirement to join it. The court said there were reasonable grounds to believe that he was unlikely to join the process of law and that his presence was essential for a fair and complete investigation.

The court also noted that the high court, in its August 5 order, had not stayed Mishra’s arrest. It consequently directed that a warrant of arrest be issued against him for August 31 and the application seeking the warrant was disposed of.