ANUBRATA MONDAL Vs. CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is the President of the District Committee of All India Trinomool Congress. He was arrested on 11/8/2022 in the present case. The case was registered by CBI alleging one Md. Enamul Haque and his associates had entered into conspiracy with BSF and customs officials to illegally smuggle cattle to Bangladesh. To enable the movement of the cattle through the Districts of Birbhum and Murshidabad, Md. Enamul Haque had obtained illegal favours from the petitioner, a powerful political satrap. It is contended the petitioner used his influence to facilitate the crime and received wrongful gains for his patronage.

(2.) In the course of investigation, CBI summoned the petitioner for interrogation but he evaded the process. He unsuccessfully challenged the summons before the High Court and even sought refuge in a hospital in Kolkata on the excuse of medical check up. Finally, he attended the interrogation on 11/8/2022 but refused to cooperate. Under such circumstances, CBI arrested the petitioner. Subsequently, CBI filed the fourth supplementary charge-sheet in the case wherein the petitioner has been shown as an accused. Bail prayer of the petitioner was turned down by the Special Court. Hence, petitioner has approached this Court seeking bail.

(3.) Mr. Sibal, Senior Counsel submits co-accuseds Md. Enamul Haque and Satish Kumar are on bail. Though CBI had not arrested other accuseds, petitioner was illegally arrested due to his political affiliations. It is strongly contended no legally admissible material has been collected to show petitioner is a conspirator in the crime.