[Narada Scam Case] Cal HC | Interim bail to TMC leaders followed by arguments on maintainability and constitution of larger Bench

Calcutta High Court: The Full Bench of Rajesh Bindal, C.J.(A), I.P. Mukerji, Harish Tandon, Soumen Sen, Arijit Banerjee, JJ., on 28-05-2021 granted interim Bail during the pendency of the matter before this Court to the TMC ministers accused in the Narada Scam case.

The Court after hearing the counsels were of the view that the factual and legal issues, sought to be raised by them, may require some time for final determination and considering the current circumstances the Court deemed fit to grant them Bail subject to certain conditions:

1. The aforesaid accused persons, if they are not required in any other case, shall be released on bail subject to each one executing a bail bond of `2 lakhs with two sureties of like amount, to the satisfaction of the Special Judge, C.B.I. Court, Kolkata.
2. The aforesaid accused persons shall make themselves available for interrogation in the course of further investigation, if any, of the alleged offence, as and when required by the C.B.I. Considering the lockdown imposed in the State of West Bengal, the interrogation may be carried out by virtual mode.
3. The aforesaid accused persons shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to intimidate or influence the witnesses.
4. The aforesaid accused persons shall not give any press interview or make any public comments in connection with the cases pending in this Court or in the trial Court, pertaining to the alleged offence concerning themselves or any other co-accused.

The Court ordered that interim order shall continue till disposal of these proceedings or until further order, whichever was earlier, the matter was listed on 31-05-2021 wherein Advocate General, sought to raise preliminary objection regarding maintainability of the present proceedings and constitution of the larger Bench.

Arguments of the Solicitor General of India were heard on 31-05-2021 and 01-06-2021 and further adjourned to 02-06-2021.

[CBI ACB Kolkata v. Firhad Hakim, W.P.A 10504 of 2021, decided on 01-06-2021]

Suchita Shukla, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.