New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail application of Central Excise Commissioner A.K. Srivastava, who had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs.60 lakh from mobile phone importers.

Special CBI Judge Talwant Singh dismissed the bail application of Srivastava, accepting the submission of the probe agency that he was the mastermind of the scam.

Srivastava was involved along with Central Excise superintendent Lallan Ojha and alleged middleman Hemant Gandhi, the probe agency said.

“This is not the stage to grant anticipatory bail to the present accused (Srivastava) who seems to be the mastermind of the entire conspiracy with other accused,” said Judge Singh.

The court said the probe in the case was at its initial stage and Srivastava is to be confronted with other accused.

It also noted that he, being a powerful person, could influence witnesses.

“If he is granted anticipatory bail, further investigation will be scuttled,” said the judge.

The CBI had opposed the anticipatory bail application.

Srivastava is currently in hospital where he has undergone angioplasty.

According to the CBI, a central excise team led by Ojha Dec 28 conducted a surprise raid at the warehouse of Dilip Aggarwal and Anand Aggarwal but then negotiated a deal for illegal gratification.

The CBI later recovered a cheque of Rs.20 lakh and currency notes along with other evidence.

The probe agency booked the accused under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.