BackTejinder Singh gets bail from HC in Tatra bribery case
Court observed that CBI's plea saying Singh has the capacity to influence the witnesses doesn't hold ground
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New Delhi: Former Indian Army officer Tejinder Singh, who was arrested on Monday, was granted bail on friday by the Delhi high court in the case relating to his alleged offer of ₹ 14 crore bribe to then Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh for clearing file for procurement of Tatra all-terrain vehicles.
A single-judge bench trashed the apprehension of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that the accused, who served on a very senior position in the Army, has the capacity to influence the witnesses, saying the agency had never made any such complaint against him during the two-year-long probe.
It granted bail to Lt Gen. (retd) Tejinder Singh on a personal bond of ₹ 1 lakh and a surety of the like amount while imposing certain conditions including that he will not leave the country without prior permission of the trial court and “shall not try to contact any of the witnesses in any manner whatsoever during the trial of this case".
“This plea (that Singh may influence witnesses) does not hold water for the simple reason that during the investigation of this case, which continued for about two years, the CBI never complained that the petitioner (Tejinder Singh) indulged in any such activity," the ruling said, adding that the accused was free during the entire investigation.
Referring to various judgements, the court said it has been a settled legal position that if an accused has not been arrested during the probe and has roots in the society then he should not be arrested after filing of the charge sheet.
“I am of the considered view that the petitioner deserved to be enlarged on bail. Accordingly, it is directed that petitioner be released on bail on his furnishing of personal bond in the sum of ₹ 1 lakh with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court...," the ruling said. PTI
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