Thaindian News

Mumbai, July 27 (IANS) A special Mumbai court Friday granted bail to woman journalist Jigna Vora arrested in the murder of senior journalist Jyotirmoy Dey in June last year.

A Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) granted bail to Vora on a personal bond of Rs.100,000 and directed her to appear at the Mumbai Crime Branch - the investigative agency in the case - every first and third week of the month.

Observing that Vora is a single mother and has a child to take care of, special judge S.M. Modak granted her bail. He, however, asked her to deposit her passport with the crime branch immediately and not to tamper with evidence related to the case.

The court also observed that while a charge sheet has already been filed against Vora, her custody is no longer required. Modak also observed that Vora has no prior criminal history and that she is an asthmatic needing medical attention.

Working as a deputy bureau chief with a Mumbai daily, Vora was arrested Nov 25 last year in connection with the June 11 killing of Dey, the editor (Special Investigations) at Mid-Day.

Modak also observed that the forensic science laboratory has failed to retrieve details of calls made by Vora to fugitive underworld don Chhota Rajan, who is allegedly involved in Dey’s murder.

In December last year, a charge sheet against 12 accused was filed in the case. However, the name of Vora was not included.

Her name appeared in a 1,400-page supplementary charge sheet filed in February.

According to police, Vora had allegedly provided Dey’s mobile number and his exact location to Rajan, who has also been named in the charge sheet.