New Delhi, Aug 11 A Delhi court has granted bail to a man accused of running illicit liquor between states, observing that the investigation was complete, the charge sheet had been filed, and no useful purpose would be served by keeping him in custody.
Additional Sessions Judge Pawan Kumar was hearing a bail plea filed by Upender Singh, who was arrested under the Delhi Excise Act at Mehrauli Police Station. In an order dated August 11, the court said, "Considering the age, previous clean antecedents, facts and circumstances of the case, the court is of the considered view that no fruitful purpose would be served to keep the accused/applicant in custody."
According to the prosecution, police intercepted a tempo carrying 63 boxes of illicit liquor in May this year.
During interrogation, the driver allegedly disclosed that he transported liquor on the instructions of Upender Singh and his son Ankit Singh and was paid for the job.
The prosecution alleged that acting on the driver's disclosure, police recovered 11 boxes of illicit liquor from the accused's residence in Rajpur Khurd and another six boxes from a Tata Innova car.
Investigators further claimed that the accused procured liquor from Gurugram, stored it in a godown in Okhla and sent consignments to Bengaluru through a cargo service for sale.
Seeking bail, the accused submitted that he had been in custody since May 19 and that the investigation against him was complete. He also argued that another co-accused had already been granted bail.
The prosecution opposed the plea, contending that the allegations were serious in nature, and another co-accused is yet to be arrested.
While granting relief, the court noted that the recovery had already been effected, the material witnesses were police officials and the accused was not in a position to influence them.
The court said that there was no reasonable apprehension of the accused hampering the investigation or trial.
The judge admitted Singh to bail on furnishing a personal bond and surety bond of Rs 20,000 each.
