STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Chief Judicial Magistrate Jammu Anjum Ara rejected bail application of Jagdish Lal, a teacher, involved in much publicized JKP Sub Inspector paper leak and recruitment scam.
After hearing both the sides, CJM Jammu Anjum Ara observed that charge-sheet in the present case has been filed. However, it is evident from the record that CBI is conducting further investigation in the matter and will file subsequent charge-sheet in the case as there are more evidence to be collected by the non-applicant and there is possibility of involvement of many more accused in the present case of the recruitment and the leakage of paper of sub-inspectors.
“The accused is involved in a serious economic offence regarding the irregularities in written examination of Sub Inspectors and he has played a key role in the criminal conspiracy to leak the question paper and sell the same to the candidates in lieu of money.
The investigating agency, CBI has prayed in the charge-sheet that further investigation is still going on in the case and they will file a subsequent charge sheet as and when the investigation is complete.
It is also alleged that the present accused is highly influential and if bailed out may hamper the investigation and also may influence witnesses and destroy evidence which is yet to be collected.
It appears that the offences alleged to be committed by the accused involves interstate gangs operating in several States. In such circumstances, the accused cannot claim bail on medical grounds or on the basis of parity,” the court observed.
CJM Jammu further observed that the offence involved in the case impact the whole society and the public interest factor is to be taken into consideration and such socio-economic offences need to be considered with a different approach at least at the time when the application for bail is to be decided by the courts. The applicant along with co-accused are involved in recruitments scam as such the case in hand is socio-economic in nature and further investigation of the case is going on which may reveals more facts about the involvement of accused persons in like other cases. Beside this, the involvement of more accused is yet to be ascertained by the investigating agency as such the release of accused at this stage will hamper the investigation as he may tamper the witnesses and other evidence of the case. In the backdrop of observations made above, in view the facts and circumstances of the case, the larger interest of public/state and the case law relied upon by the non-applicant/CBI, the accused is not found entitled for any leniency of bail at this stage,” the Court observed and rejected the plea.
