The Delhi High Court has granted regular bail to advocate B. Mohanraj, a key figure in the Rs 200 crore extortion case linked to conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The court deemed Mohanraj’s continued pretrial detention unnecessary due to the prolonged nature of the case and the unlikelihood of a swift trial conclusion. Justice Prateek Jalan highlighted that Mohanraj had already spent almost five years in custody, with the trial involving numerous accused and witnesses expected to prolong further.
The court’s decision mandates Mohanraj’s release upon furnishing a personal bond and adhering to specified conditions, including surrendering his passport and refraining from influencing witnesses. The case stems from an FIR filed by the Delhi Police Special Cell, alleging that Chandrashekhar and his associates extorted a substantial sum from a businessman’s wife under false legal pretenses. The prosecution asserts that Mohanraj, a practicing advocate closely associated with Chandrashekhar, facilitated illicit transactions and received commissions.
In a previous ruling, the High Court had denied Mohanraj’s bail application, citing his alleged active involvement in managing proceeds of crime for the syndicate. However, the recent judgment emphasized the need to balance personal liberty with statutory bail restrictions under laws like MCOCA. The court’s stance underscores that constitutional rights should not be entirely superseded by bail limitations in cases with protracted legal proceedings.
The court clarified that its bail decision does not prejudge the trial’s outcome. This development follows the denial of bail to Leena Maria Paul, another key figure in the same case, based on evidence suggesting her complicity in the criminal activities. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is reviewing Paul’s plea challenging the bail denial, as she faces separate legal proceedings in a money laundering case. Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, also embroiled in the case, has opted to contest the charges in court.
