Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Tuesday modified the bail conditions of Rajya Sabha member and former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, an accused in the 2008 cash-for-vote scandal in parliament, and ordered the release of his passport.

The high court also permitted the MP to travel abroad for treatment without having to seek the trial court’s permission every time.

The high court, however, asked him to furnish his stay particulars to the trial court as and when he went abroad.

Taking note of Amar Singh’s submission, Justice Suresh Kait ordered the release of his passport which was confiscated while granting him bail Oct 24.

The MP had sought the release of his passport on the ground that passports of other accused in the case had not been seized.

His counsel Hariharan told the court that he needed to go abroad frequently for treatment and every time he had to seek the trial court’s permission.

Justice Kait granted bail to Amar Singh Oct 24 and said: “Keeping in view the critical health condition of the petitioner (Singh) as he had been continuously in hospital since Oct 12 till date, on humanitarian grounds I deem it fit to admit him on bail.”

The MP, who underwent a renal transplant in September 2009 and intestinal surgery 10 years ago, was told to furnish a surety and a personal bond of Rs.50 lakh each.

Amar Singh was arrested Sep 6 for his alleged involvement in an attempt to bribe MPs ahead of the July 2008 trust vote in parliament.

On July 22, 2008, then BJP MPs Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahabir Singh Bhagora and Ashok Argal waved wads of currency notes in Lok Sabha ahead of a trust vote, alleging they were given the money to vote in favour of the Manmohan Singh government.