The Chhattisgarh High Court has granted bail to Saumya Chaurasia, a suspended Deputy Secretary who had served in the Chief Minister’s Office, in connection with the alleged liquor scam in the State. The Court allowed her regular bail applications in cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate and the Economic Offences Wing relating to allegations of corruption and money laundering linked to the alleged irregularities in the excise policy and liquor distribution system.
Chaurasia had been arrested as part of the investigation into what authorities described as a large-scale scam involving manipulation of liquor procurement and sale, generation of illegal profits, and laundering of proceeds. The prosecution alleged that a syndicate operated within the excise framework to siphon off substantial sums of money. Chaurasia was accused of having a role in facilitating or being connected to the alleged activities.
While considering her bail plea, the High Court took note of the fact that several other accused persons who were alleged to be principal actors in the purported syndicate had already been granted bail. The Court examined the principle of parity and observed that when similarly placed or more directly implicated accused have been released on bail, continued incarceration of another accused requires stronger justification. The Court also considered the stage of investigation and noted that the investigation had been completed and that the trial was likely to take a considerable period of time.
The High Court observed that bail cannot be denied solely on the basis of the seriousness of allegations when other relevant factors weigh in favour of the accused. It examined whether there was material to show that Chaurasia would tamper with evidence, influence witnesses, or abscond if released. Finding no specific material placed before it to demonstrate such risks, the Court held that the requirements for grant of bail were satisfied, subject to strict conditions to safeguard the integrity of the trial.
The Court imposed several conditions while granting bail. These included surrendering her passport, refraining from leaving the country without prior permission of the Court, regularly appearing before the trial court as directed, cooperating with the proceedings, and not attempting to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence. The Court clarified that any violation of these conditions would entitle the investigating agency to seek cancellation of bail.
The allegations in the case pertain to an alleged scam involving large sums of money generated through manipulation of the liquor trade in the State. According to the investigating agencies, the alleged scheme involved unlawful gains arising from irregularities in procurement, distribution, and sale of liquor, leading to significant financial loss to the State exchequer and unlawful enrichment of those involved. Multiple officials and private individuals have been implicated in the matter.
By granting bail, the High Court underscored that the grant of bail is a matter of judicial discretion based on established legal principles, including the stage of investigation, the role attributed to the accused, the likelihood of delay in trial, and the presence or absence of factors such as flight risk or potential interference with the judicial process. The order reflects the Court’s assessment that continued custody was not warranted in light of the circumstances placed before it and that the conditions imposed would sufficiently address concerns regarding the administration of justice.
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