2G case: SC refuses to cancel Unitech MD’s bail

CBI also pointed out that it had registered a Preliminary Enquiry report which named Chandra and prosecutor Singh.

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to cancel the bail of Unitech managing director Sanjay Chandra, an accused in the 2G spectrum case, over his alleged attempts to sabotage the trial by colluding with the prosecution.

A bench, led by Justice HL Dattu, rejected the CBI’s plea to recall its order of November 2011 whereby Chandra was granted bail in the case. The bench noted that the CBI had already rested the case of the prosecution and the matter was now listed in the trial court for recording of the statements of the accused. “In view of the above (stage of the trial), it may not be appropriate for use to recall our order dated November 23, 2011,” held the court.

The CBI had approached the court for cancellation of bail after Chandra was allegedly caught on tape trying to influence AK Singh, the then public prosecutor in the case. It alleged that Chandra had misused the relief given to him by approaching Singh and trying to materially interfere with the prosecution in an attempt to influence the conduct and outcome of the trial.

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“It is apparent the freedom granted to accused by means of enlargement from custody has been misused by him and that allowing him to continue unabated will be detrimental to the conduct of this trial and to the greater public interest,” the agency said in its application.

CBI also pointed out that it had registered a Preliminary Enquiry report which named Chandra and prosecutor Singh. The investigation also suggested that the conversation took place between the two when the statement of crucial witness AK Srivastava, department of telecommunication’s former deputy director general was being recorded in the court, it had said.