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Madhumita Shukla murder case: SC dismisses bail plea of accused
Tripathi's bail plea was rejected on the ground that he was an influential member of the society and on release he could influence the witnesses, reports Satya Prakash.
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the bail plea of Madhumita Shukla murder case accused former Uttar Pradesh Minister Amarmani Tripathi, who is in jail for over 18 months.
A Bench of Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice Dalveer Bhandari rejected Tripathi's bail plea on the ground that he was an influential member of the society and on release he could influence the witnesses.
On Tripathi's behalf, senior counsel Ram Jethmalani had claimed that there were no material evidence against the accused MLA.
Tripathi had sought bail on the ground that he was a "responsible citizen" and that he had spent over 18 months in jail.
Jethmalani had argued that so far the prosecution had failed to secure any proof of Tripathi's involvement in the murder of the poetess.
The only evidence against him was the confessional statement reportedly made by one of the co-accused, Jethmalani said.
However, the Bench rejected his bail plea saying he was an influential member of society and his release would hamper the probe.
Madhumita's sister had earlier moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the trial to a place outside Uttar Pradesh as she apprehended that it couldn't be held in a free and fair manner under the Mulayam Singh Government.
Email Satya Prakash: satya.prakash@hindustantimes.com
