Delhi High Court (File/PTI)
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed the bail plea of middleman Manoj Prasad in a bribery case allegedly involving CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana. Justice Najmi Waziri denied the relief to Prasad, saying the allegations against him were serious in nature.
Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee and Advocate Rajdipa Behura, appearing for the CBI, opposed the bail plea on the grounds that investigation was at a crucial stage and Prasad's case was different from that of other accused.
Prasad, who was arrested by the CBI on October 17, is currently in judicial custody.
He, Asthana and CBI's Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar have also filed separate petitions in the high court seeking quashing of the FIR against them which are listed for hearing on Wednesday.
In his bail plea before the trial court, Prasad had claimed that he was not required for the custodial interrogation and no purpose will be served by keeping him in further custody.
The probe agency had opposed his plea saying that the accused was an influential person and if released on bail, he may tamper with the ongoing probe and flee from justice.
Manoj Kumar, who was arrested on October 31.
