The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday granted bail to Bharat Bhushan Ashu, the former Congress minister, arrested in August 2022. The bail was granted in two FIRs, both registered under Prevention of Corruption Act and various other provisions of Indian Penal code.
While Ludhiana vigilance bureau had registered FIR on August 16, 2022. The Jalandhar vigilance bureau had registered FIR on September 22, 2022, while he was in custody.
In August, 2022 FIR, the allegations are that when he was the minister of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs during Congress regime, he allegedly indulged in corruption in awarding tenders for transportation of food grains. The Jalandhar FIR is on allegations of receiving bribe through his conduits for compromising tender for food procurement and transportation, its quality, and conditions.
While allowing bail, the court of justice Anoop Chitkara observed that the “material investigation” was complete and, there would be “no justifiability for further pre-trial incarceration at this stage”.
He has been directed not to influence, browbeat, pressurise, make any inducement, threat etc to the witnesses, the Police officials.
Further he has been told that within fifteen days from release he would forward to the investigator/SHO, the complete details of bank accounts numbers with addresses, fixed deposits. If the petitioner fails to comply with this condition, then on this ground alone the bail might be cancelled, the court ordered. The court has made it clear that in case conditions of the bail are not complied with, the investigating agency can approach court for cancellation of the same.
{{/usCountry}}Further he has been told that within fifteen days from release he would forward to the investigator/SHO, the complete details of bank accounts numbers with addresses, fixed deposits. If the petitioner fails to comply with this condition, then on this ground alone the bail might be cancelled, the court ordered. The court has made it clear that in case conditions of the bail are not complied with, the investigating agency can approach court for cancellation of the same.
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