New Delhi: A Delhi court Wednesday dismissed the bail application of journalist Upendra Rai, arrested June 8 last year, in a money laundering case related to alleged extortion and dubious financial transactions.
Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Syal dismissed the bail pea of the Delhi-based scribe in a case registered against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
In his application, Rai claimed he was not required for further custodial interrogation and it will serve no purpose by keeping him in custody. The ED opposed Rai’s bail application. It told the court that the accused may influence witnesses and hamper probe if released.
The ED informed the court that Rai had extorted money from various persons, claiming that he had information against them as he was a journalist and that thousands of crore of rupees were extorted.
Earlier the agency had also told the court that Rai is influential and may destroy evidence and flee from justice if he comes out of jail.
It should be mentioned here that Rai was earlier arrested May 3 by the CBI for allegedly indulging in dubious financial transactions and for alleged extortion and manipulation of an Income Tax Department case against a Mumbai-based businessman.
Rai, however, secured bail June 8, but was arrested moments later by officials of the ED.
Rai has denied before the court all the allegations levelled against him.
PTI