Saradha Scam: Trinamool MP Srinjoy Bose released on conditional bail

Alipore District and Sessions court judge Samaresh Prasad Chowdhury granted bail to Bose after imposing three conditions that he would not leave the country, he would not threaten witnesses and he would respond to CBI’s summons, whenever served.

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TMC legal cell chief Baiswanar Chatterjee, who is also the counsel for Bose, told the court that although the TMC MP had remained under arrest for 75 days, CBI was yet to frame a chargesheet against him under Section 420 of IPC, under which, along with other sections, he has been booked.

He contended that the maximum detention time under Section 420 was 60 days and pleaded that there was no need for further custodial detention and prayed for his bail.

“The judge took cognizance of the fact that despite a lapse of 60 days, the chargesheet has not been submitted. Moreover, the prime accused in the case, Sudipta Sen, was granted bail in a similar case. Also, Bose is very ill,” Chatterjee later said, adding that bail to Bose was a ‘“oral victory” for the TMC.

Significantly, Bose, who is also the owner and the editor of a Bengali daily, spent very little time in jail and was shifted to SSKM hospital for medical reasons.

The counsel for CBI, Partha Sarathi Dutta, did not contend the statutory period clause, but maintained that Bose should not be given bail since this scam has had a significant impact on the society.

“The CBI will decide soon if it will file move a higher court against the order. The agency is also looking into the matter as to why the chargesheet could not be submitted within 60 days,” Dutta said. As per sources in the court sources, Bose was also booked under Section 409 of IPC for criminal breach of trust for which the detention period is 90 days.