INDER PRAKASH KOHLI Vs. DIRECTORATE OF REVENUE INTELLIGENCE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present bail application has been moved by Mr. I.P. Kohli, who is one of the five accused in a case involving smuggling of gold. One of the co-accused, namely Mr. P.C. Gupta has been granted bail by this Court on 20.08.2014. It is the case of the applicant that, the Department of Revenue Investigation has assigned the same role to the applicant and the co-accused - P.C. Gupta, who has been enlarged on bail by this Court, and therefore the applicant should also be granted bail on the grounds of parity. Earlier, Mr. Kohli had moved Bail Application No. 3469/14 before the Special Judge (PC Act), which was dismissed on 12.09.2014.

(2.) In substance, it is alleged by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), i.e. respondent herein, that Mr. Kohli was engaged in organizing and financing smuggling of gold into India from other countries such as Dubai, Indonesia, Bangkok, Singapore.

(3.) On 20.06.2014, officials of DRI, Delhi Zone, intercepted one Sh. Vinod Khanna for having illegally brought 5 kgs of gold from Dubai. They also intercepted the receiver Mr. Hari Sharan Khanna, who is also his cousin. Mr. Hari Sharan Khanna is also stated to be the employee of the petitioner Inder Prakash Kohli. The said receiver, Mr. Hari Sharan Khanna, also disclosed that even previously, gold had been smuggled into India on a number of occasions, including 2 kgs gold from Bangkok and 2.250 kgs from Indonesia. He further stated that he was aware of these operations and that he received some extra money apart from his usual salary to escort the carriers.