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This is an archive article published on December 23, 2006
Flood scam: Jha gets bail
With trial yet to begin in the flood scam, it is helping most of the key accused in the case to secure bail from different courts.
Patna | December 23, 2006 12:00 AM IST
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With trial yet to begin in the flood scam, it is helping most of the key accused in the case to secure bail from different courts. On Friday, scam kingpin Santosh Jha was granted bail by the Patna High Court.
The court granted him bail on his plea that since other accused in the case were on bail, he too should not be denied it as trial in the case was yet to start. So far 16 people chargesheeted in the scam have managed to come out on bail except for Deputy Collector Devendra Kumar. Recently another prime accused, former Patna DM Gautam Goswami, was granted bail by the HC.
Jha, a contractor-turned-politician, was charged of masterminding the scam and siphoning off more than Rs 16 crore meant for providing relief to the flood marooned masses. Trial in the case was being obstructed because of Goswami. To try him in Prevention of Corruption Act cases it is mandatory to obtain sanction from the Centre8217;s Personnel Department. When contacted Vigilance ADG Neelmani said that it8217;s been more than a year now since they had applied for it but were yet to get it.
8220;In the absence of the sanction against Goswami, we are unable to start the trial even against the other accused since it is a single case,8221; Neelmani said, adding 8220;I will write once again. Even if they want to reject it then they should communicate it early.8221;
The flood scam was first exposed through a series of investigative reports by The Indian Express.
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