Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS) Remarking that when corruption “flows from top to bottom” it is likely to pollute the entire institution, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court has rejected the bail plea of former National Aluminium Limited Corp (NALCO) chairman-cum-managing director A.K. Srivastava, who has been arrested for alleged graft.

Special CBI Judge Sanjeev Jain dismissed the bail application of Srivastava.

“When public servants sitting at the top position indulge in corruption, the culture of corruption flows from top to bottom and the entire institutions are likely to be corrupted,” said the judge Jain Sep 6, while dismissing his bail plea.

While opposing Srivastava’s bail plea, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had said: “Probe in the case is still going on to establish the role of Vijay Madni of Hyderabad-based Maheshwari Brothers Ltd, who allegedly paid Rs.1 crore to Srivastava through co-accused B.L. Bajaj, and is still absconding.”

CBI had said that Srivastava should not be granted bail as the allegations against him are of serious nature.

“Corruption at high places discredits the public authorities in the eyes of the citizen,” said the judge.

“In our democratic set up, the authority of state is being exercised through public servants. Senior public servants are expected to set an example for the masses,” the judge observed.

The court dismissed Srivastava`s bail plea saying, “The main offence of demand and acceptance of bribe” was committed by him.

“Considering the overall facts and circumstances, the material on record against the accused, his role in commission of the offence, the gravity of offence committed by him, its overall impact on the society at large and apprehension of his tampering with the evidence, it is not a fit case for bail at this stage,” the court said in its 15 page order.

Srivastava had sought bail on the ground of parity as the five other co-accused in the case have already been released on bail.

The court said as the main offence was committed by him, he cannot claim parity with other accused persons.

The CBI arrested Srivastava and Bajaj Feb 25, after it recovered about 10 kg of gold bricks and jewellery valued at around Rs.2.13 crore from Srivastava and Rs.30 lakh in cash from Bajaj.

Bajaj’s wife Anita Bajaj, a co-accused in the case along with the NALCO chief’s wife Chandani Srivastava, was arrested in the case Feb 25. They were, however released on bail.

CBI has also arrested businessmen G.S. Bhatia, J.S. Bhatia and Ratan Pal Singh, who all are on bail.

The court had denied Bajaj bail May 18. Earlier, June 9, the same judge dismissed Srivastava bail plea on the ground that, after his release he may influence witnesses.