In the heart of New Delhi, a judicious pronouncement resonated through the corridors of justice on Wednesday. A Delhi court, with discerning sagacity, accorded bail to the erstwhile Chief Minister of Bihar, Rabri Devi, along with her distinguished daughters, Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, in the intricate Railways’ land-for-jobs imbroglio.
Misa Bharti, scion of the venerable RJD president Lalu Prasad and progeny of Rabri Devi, currently graces the hallowed chambers of the Rajya Sabha as a distinguished Member of Parliament from Bihar. The imprimatur of Special Judge Vishal Gogne brought solace to the trio as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in an unusual turn of events, refrained from interposing objections to their entreaties for bail. The central investigative agency, however, underscored the gravity of the charges, advocating the imposition of stringent conditions upon the accused during their release.
In a meticulous recounting of events, the judge delineated, “ED has diligently responded to the petitions for regular bail presented on behalf of the accused, namely Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, and Hridyanand Chaudhary. The ED’s legal representative has expounded upon the nature of accusations entailing money laundering, emphasizing their severity. In light of the profound nature of the case, the ED posits that, if the court deems fit to extend bail, stringent conditions should be mandatorily enforced.”
Counsel for the defense asserted that the investigating agency’s deliberate omission to effectuate arrests during the inquiry obviated any justification for the court to withhold the dispensation of regular bail. “Evidently, the accused were not subject to conscious apprehension by the investigating agency. Consequently, there exists no rationale for the court to employ heightened scrutiny, speculating on the likelihood of the accused evading trial or tampering with witnesses upon the grant of regular bail. All applications for bail are granted,” the judge pronounced.
The relief granted to the accused materialized through the furnishing of personal bonds and surety bonds, each amounting to a substantial Rs 1 lakh. Simultaneously, the judge issued a series of stringent directives, mandating that the accused remain within the territorial confines of the country unless accorded prior dispensation by the court. Furthermore, a categorical prohibition on any form of contact, influence, or coercion upon persons or witnesses connected with the case was pronounced. “The accused are enjoined to present themselves before the court as stipulated. They are also obligated to apprise the ED of any alterations to their mobile phone numbers or residential addresses,” the judge stipulated, adjourning the proceedings to March 16, 2024.
This judicial respite comes in the wake of the judge’s interim bail concession on February 9, which transpired following the ED’s plea for additional time to articulate arguments on the regular bail petitions. The accused graced the court’s precincts subsequent to its acknowledgment of the ED’s charge sheet and the subsequent issuance of summonses.