Two bails and few hours in jail for ex-DU vice-chancellor

Meanwhile, Pental’s lawyers moved the High Court to seek a bail. The HC granted the former V-C bail around 3 pm but it soon became apparent that the Delhi court had also bailed Pental out at about the same time.

Additional chief metropolitan magistrate V K Gautam said the former V-C has “deep roots in the society” and “in the facts and circumstances of the present case… the present bail is allowed”.
The court also asked Pental to furnish a personal bond of Rs 40,000.

The bail order comes in the case where Prof P Pardha Saradhi has accused the former V-C of plagiarism, cheating and forgery. The other accused in the case is KVSK Prasad, who currently lives in the United States.

Pental’s lawyer argued that his client was never involved in the scientific or financial aspect of the DU’s Department of Science and Technology, making the allegations baseless. Saradhi’s counsel opposed the bail on the grounds that one of the several offences under Section 436 CrPC can be tried in the court of sessions and was punishable by imprisonment for up to a life term.

The court also dismissed another application filed under Section 209 CrPC, seeking commitment of the case to the court of sessions. “The application is premature as the other accused has not put up his appearance in the present case,” the court said.

The court remanded Pental in judicial custody at Tihar Jail after it reserved its order on the bail plea till 3 pm. After this, Pental moved the High Court. His counsel pleaded with the HC that offences under Sections 63 and Section 70 of the Copyright Act are bailable.

At the HC, Justice S Muralidhar then ordered Pental’s release, subject to his appearing before the Delhi court.