MUMBAI: Bombay high court on Tuesday granted bail to Sitaram Gupta, municipal corporator of Vasai Virar area a principal accused in a money laundering case of 2023 linked to alleged illegal construction of 41 buildings.
The HC single bench Judge bench of Justice Milind Jadhav granting the bail observed that Gupta was arrested only after 2 years of the first FIR being registered, has spent 13 months behind bars and also cooperated with the probe.
Gupta through senior counsel Aabad Ponda and advocate Mithilesh Mishra argued that barring an alleged confessional statement of the accused there is no other incriminating material, besides Gupta’s properties worth over Rs 20 crores were attached by
Enforcement Directorate and the chargesheet had already filed.
The ED prosecutor Chaitanya Pendse argued that Gupta is a key conspirator in "usurping Government land” and witness said he “ used to convince poor persons rather poor land owners to part with their lands”.
The HC said barring the confession statement there is no other statement for his indictment.
“The timeline and the dates which are alluded to hereinabove prima facie make out a case on behalf of the Applicant for grant of bail,” the HC said and directed Gupta’s release on a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh with other conditions.
