A SESSIONS court on Monday rejected the bail plea of a court clerk-cum-typist arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) allegedly after he was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 15 lakh as a bribe. The ACB had opposed the bail plea of Chandrakant Vasudev, citing that if he is released, he may meet his co-accused, an additional sessions judge, who is yet to be arrested. The ACB told the court that the proposal for action against the judge is pending before the Bombay High Court. The clerk had allegedly claimed to have collected the bribe, with part of it to be given to the judge for a favourable order in a land dispute case.
Special ACB judge Shayana Patil rejected the plea of Vasudev, with the detailed order yet to be made available.
Earlier in the day, Vasudev’s lawyer, Vijay Desai, had submitted before the court that his further custody was not needed as the ACB had collected all the electronic evidence in the case, including his phone, memory cards and voice samples. He also submitted that the ACB’s apprehension that if released, Vasudev may tamper with evidence cannot be accepted as all the necessary evidence have already been collected. He also said that the court can put necessary conditions on him if there are any other apprehensions.
Additional public prosecutor Prabhakar Tarange opposed the plea stating that the prima facie evidence shows that Vasudev had approached the complainant, sharing his number to seek a bribe for a favourable order. He said the messages between Vasudev and the judge show that the latter had informed him to come to his home the next day, and given instructions including that the front door may be locked. The prosecutor said that the ACB’s proposal for action against the judge remains pending in the high court and there is prima facie proof about his involvement which needs to be probed. The prosecutor said that both the accused need to be interrogated together on the calls and messages between them and their roles.
“The case is linked to the judiciary, people impose a lot of trust in the judiciary…there have been similar cases in the past, including in Satara recently. If appropriate action is not taken, it may lead to erosion of trust among the people,” the prosecutor told the court. The investigating officer of the ACB also submitted before the court that while the probe is ongoing, if released, Vasudev may meet the co-accused and hence he should be kept in custody till there is action against the co-accused.
The ACB had arrested Vasudev on November 12 after he allegedly accepted Rs 15 lakh as a bribe from the complainant in a cafe in Chembur, claiming that part of the amount would be paid to the judge for a favourable decision on a case on a civil dispute regarding a forcible possession of land belonging to his company.
Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues.
Expertise
Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports.
Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on:
Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system.
Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on:
Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates.
Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children.
Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions.
Experience
Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor.
Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape.
Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism.
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