Scholarship scam: Bail plea of ED ex-Assistant Director dismissed

CBI Court has dismissed the bail application of Vishal Deep, former Assistant Director of Enforcement Department, Shimla, in an alleged corruption case registered by the CBI last year. The CBI had registered an FIR against Vishal Deep and others on complaints of directors of two educational institutions on December 22, 2024 under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

CBI alleged that the ED officer with the help of their two relatives was extorting money by threatening them with their arrest in the investigation he was overseeing.

The counsel of the accused argued that the accused has been falsely implicated in this case by complainant in collusion with officials of CBI

He has already filed a complaint in this regard. The investigation in the matter qua applicant is now complete and CBI has already filed the charge sheet. The trial is likely to take time and continued detention of the applicant is not at all warranted. On the other hand, Narender Singh, Public Prosecutor, opposed the bail application. He said that remaining bribe money of Rs 1 lakh is yet to be recovered. Moreover, during the investigation, the accused has remained non-cooperative and has attempted to obstruct the investigative process

After hearing of the arguments Alka Malik, Special Judge, CBI Court dismissed the bail application. The court said that all facts of the case show complicity of the petitioner in the crime.

Whether he has been falsely implicated in the case, as has been alleged, is the moot point, which needs adjudication, but at this stage, his involvement in the crime is made out. Therefore, keeping in view the peculiar circumstances of the instant case and the nature of accusation against the accused, this court is not inclined to grant bail.

Himachal Tribune