The Supreme Court has granted bail to former IAS officer Anil Tuteja in a corruption case related to the alleged District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund scam in Chhattisgarh. Tuteja, who has been in custody since April 2024, is facing serious allegations, but the court noted that these would be addressed during the trial.
The apex court considered that the trial, involving the examination of 85 witnesses, would take a considerable amount of time. Despite the gravity of the accusations, the court decided to release Tuteja on bail without commenting on the merits of the case. Stringent conditions were imposed, requiring Tuteja to stay outside Chhattisgarh and report his whereabouts to the authorities upon release.
Tuteja’s counsel argued that similar allegations had been previously addressed, leading to bail being granted in other cases. The prosecution, however, opposed bail, citing Tuteja’s alleged involvement in various scams and attempts to influence witnesses. The case revolves around suspected irregularities in fund utilization for development projects in mining-affected areas.
