The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday granted interim anticipatory bail to Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, former media advisor to Punjab’s former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, in an alleged graft case. Chahal (the petitioner) was booked by Vigilance Bureau in the case. In the plea before the high court, Chahal contended that he has been falsely implicated in the case. In its reply the state, among other things, alleged that Chahal received income of Rs 7.85 crore from April 1, 2017, to August 31, 2021, when he was advisor to the former CM. But he is found to have spent Rs 23.94 crore which is disproportionate to his known sources of income, the state alleged. After hearing the matter, the bench of Justice Anoop Chitkara said that certain medical documents have been placed to seek bail. As on date, given the voluntary submission/undertaking by the petitioner and coupled with the fact he was 75, no prejudice would be caused to the prosecution in case interim protection was granted to the petitioner till the next date of hearing, subject to compliance of the conditions.
