Kolkata, Jan 2 (IANS) A court here Friday again rejected the bail plea of West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra, who was arrested in the Saradha scam, and extended his judicial custody till Jan 16.
On the expiry of his earlier judicial remand, Mitra was presented before Judicial Magistrate M.K. Roy, who extended his judicial custody by 14 days.
Pressing for his bail, Mitra's counsel contended that the minister's further detention in the custody was not required as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has finished its process of interrogating and collecting evidence from him.
"His further detention would tantamount to pre-trial conviction which is illegal. There have been many cases in which an under trial has been acquitted after he has spent years behind bars," said Mitra's counsel Ashok Mukherjee.
Mukherjee also cited the recent acquittal of Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah who was charged by the CBI in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh staged shootout case.
"While acquitting Shah, the court said the CBI investigation was politically motivated. In the instant case too, the agency has been making only allegations but has failed to substantiate them with evidence which makes one wonder if the probe here too is politically motivated," he contended.
Opposing the minister's bail plea, CBI counsel P.S. Dutta claimed a huge amount was transferred to Mitra's bank account and he encouraged investors to put money in Saradha.
The CBI counsel also argued that Mitra being an "influential and powerful" minister would tamper with evidences if he was enlarged on bail.
Refuting the CBI's claims, Mitra told the court to hang him if it was proved that he has taken money.
"If it is proved that even a single penny was transferred to my account, then the court may hang me. I will be happy to be hanged," Mitra asserted.
He also denied the CBI's claims that he allured people to invest in the tainted company.
Claiming that Mitra enjoyed undue amenities inside the Alipore Correctional Home where he is lodged, the CBI counsel also urged the court to direct the jail authorities to ensure that the jail code is strictly adhered to.
After hearing both the parties, the court extended Mitra's judicial custody till Jan 16 and directed the jail authorities to provide his medical aid if and when required.
The senior Trinamool Congress leader was arrested Dec 12 by the CBI for criminal conspiracy, cheating and deriving undue financial benefits in connection with the Saradha Group chit fund scam.
Playing in statistics: 15 thousand deaths due to corona in February after July, how did the death rate suddenly increase? Learn Complete Mathematics
There has been a tremendous play in the daily death toll from Corona. Due to this game of figures, more than 15 thousand deaths were recorded in February. This number is the highest after the death
Plea against SC's income disclosure rules dismissed
New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea challenging the Supreme Court rules requiring an advocate and litigant to cite their annual income and PAN number while
UP Election 2022: Priyanka Gandhi lashed out at Yogi government, said - UP on top in all kinds of crimes
Priyanka Gandhi Attacks on BJP over Crime in UP: The round of accusations and counter-accusations has started before the assembly elections in UP. Opposition parties are fiercely attacking the leaders
Mahant Narendra Giri death: Seven days CBI remand of all three accused including Anand Giri approved
The three accused, including Anand Giri, arrested in the death of Mahant Narendra Giri, will be taken on a seven-day CBI remand. The court of CJM Harendra Nath in Prayagraj has ordered to remand the
Did Hardik Pandya's return work for Shardul Thakur? Does Scott Styris give his opinion on will BCCI's new grading system rein in umpires?
Hardik Pandya's career started questioned after the T20 World Cup 2021. Hardik then played for Team India as a batsman and could not perform much. The question was starting to arise whether
Punjab elections: BJP will fight alone with full force for the first time, the central team did not get an encouraging report
Because of the Punjab assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party has sounded the election bugle. The party has made up its mind to enter the electoral fray on its own in all the seats of the
IMF to Pakistan bluntly: Managing Director said – Learn to behave like a country, take money from us and give benefits to the rich
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Pakistan to improve instead of issuing a new tranche of the loan. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said that first of all Pakistan has
Modi to visit Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver during Canada trip
New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Canada from April 14-16, making stopovers in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver, it was announced here on Wednesday.Modi's visit will
Sri Lanka-like situation may arise in Pakistan in the coming days, IMF issued a warning
Pakistan is currently facing an extreme economic crisis. Here the rate of inflation has reached 27 percent as compared to the last 47 years and it is expected to increase further. The International
Diljit Dosanjh: On the 'Sardaar Ji 3' controversy, Diljit said, 'The film was made before the attack, cricket is being played now.'
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh recently broke his silence on the delay in the release of his film "Sardaarji 3" in India. His film was not released in India after the Pahalgam terror attack. Speaking at
