Bombay High Court denies interim bail to Chhagan Bhujbal

The Bombay high court on Tuesday refused to grant interim bail to NCP leader and former deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who is currently under judicial custody.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Bhujbal for his alleged role in a money-laundering case in March. A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak refused to grant interim bail while hearing a petition filed by Bhujbal, who is a former PWD minister, seeking to challenge the constitutional validity of certain sections in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), under which he was arrested.

During the hearing, Bhujbal’s lawyer argued that his client should be released on bail. After hearing this, the court said, “Your petition is only challenging the Act. The question of releasing the petitioner on bail does not arise.” Chief Justice Chellur added: “You will have to file a separate application seeking bail before the competent court. How can this bench, which is hearing this petition, release you on bail ”

The bench directed the ED to file its affidavit in response to Bhujbal’s petition challenging sections of the PMLA and posted the petition for further hearing after six weeks.

Meanwhile, another bench of the HC directed the police commissioner of Mumbai to look into the reports submitted by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police and state anti-corruption bureau over allegations of misappropriation of Mumbai Education Trust funds by Bhujbal and his family.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Sunil Karve, who is a founder-member of the MET trust, seeking the registration of an FIR against the NCP leader and his family members, alleging that they have misappropriated MET funds and misused the premises of the trust.

Hospital vistors break law Former deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, in jail at present, has allegedly been meeting party workers, relatives and high-profile dignitaries during non-visiting hours ever since he was admitted to J.J. Hospital 10 days ago. As per rules, anyone seeking to visit a person under judicial custody can do so only after acquiring the court’s permission. Former IPS officer-turned-lawyer Y.P. Singh said, “Meetings like this are incorrect. He is under judicial custody and anyone meeting him should take prior permission from the court.” The dignitaries who have visited Bhujbal include NCP chief Sachin Ahir and Dilip Walse-Patil, who visited him on Tuesday. The next day, state women and child welfare minister Pankaja Munde of the BJP paid him a visit.