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Delhi court dismisses bail plea of journalist held for leaking confidential info to Chinese intelligence
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday dismissed the bail plea of freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on charges of supplying sensitive and confidential information to Chinese intelligence officials in exchange for money
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday dismissed the bail plea of freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on charges of supplying sensitive and confidential information to Chinese intelligence officials in exchange for money.
Additional sessions judge Dharmender Rana said that Sharma had received lakhs of rupees on multiple occasions, invariably in cash, from dubious sources and has failed to furnish any palpable explanation regarding the receipt of money.
Calling it “intriguing”, the judge also noted that even though Sharma’s annual income was barely ₹8.6 lakh, he is financing his son’s education abroad, enjoys multiple foreign trips and has even lent lakhs of rupees to his friends and acquaintances for investment purposes.
“...from the statements recorded, it is evident that the applicant/accused has received lakhs of rupees on multiple occasions, invariably in cash, from dubious sources,” the court said.
It said that the allegations against Sharma are serious in nature and the investigation is at a crucial juncture as the complete money trail is yet to be traced.
“…releasing the applicant/accused (Sharma) on bail at this stage would not be salubrious to the cause of justice, as the applicant/accused would definitely attempt to wipe off the foot prints and cover up the traces,” the judge noted in his seven-page order.
The ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR and charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police against Sharma under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act, 1923.
During investigation, the ED had said Sharma had allegedly compromised the security and national interests of India by providing sensitive information to Chinese officers in exchange for remuneration.
Advocate Amish Aggarwal, Sharma’s counsel, had contended that his client is being falsely implicated in the case and that he has in no way compromisedthe national security of the country.
ED had further said the cash received by Sharma and other unidentified persons was generated through hawala means by Mahipalpur-based shell companies that were run by Chinese nationals, namely Zhang Cheng alias Suraj, Zhang Lixia alias Usha, and Quing Shi, along with a Nepali national Sher Singh alias Raj Bohara.
The agency further claimed Sharma has received money through benami bank accounts.
The court had on Wednesday sent Sharma to judicial custody for 14 days at the request of the ED, which arrested him earlier this month under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
