Court dismisses bail plea of godman in MCOCA case

A Delhi court today dismissed the bail plea of self-styled godman Shiv Murat Dwivedi who has been booked in a case under stringent MCOCA for allegedly running a flesh trade racket in New Delhi.

A Delhi court on Saturday dismissed the bail plea of self-styled godman Shiv Murat Dwivedi who has been booked in a case under stringent MCOCA for allegedly running a flesh trade racket here.

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"The charges against the accused were grave and he could not be enlarged on bail as the case pertained to alleged running of an orgnaised racket," Additional Sessions Judge SK Sarvaria said.

Dwivedi, alias Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakootwale, had filed the bail application on the statutory ground, saying "he deserves to be released on bail as the police failed to file the chargesheet within the stipulated 90 days period prescribed under CrPC and MCOCA."

Defence counsel MS Khan said the police had approached the court for extension of time to conclude the probe after the lapse of stipulated 90 days period and consquently, Dwivedi deserved to be released on bail. The plea was rejected.

The police had opposed the bail plea of the accused.

The police, however, are yet to complete probe in the case lodged under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act.

Dwivedi was allegedly running the sex racket for the last 10 to 12 years and has acquired properties worth crores of rupees, police said.

During custodial interrogation, the police claimed that, at the instance of the accused, they recovered various documents relating to properties, investments and bank details.

The police also alleged that Rs 1.55 lakh in cash, some gold ornaments and VCDs were recovered from the car of Dwivedi at the time of the raid on his premises on February 26.

Besides the present case, Dwivedi, along with seven others including six alleged call girls, are accused in another case lodged under Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act.