Bhopal, Feb 21 (IANS) A special court here on Thursday rejected the bail application of former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma who has been arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Sharma had moved a bail application before the court on Wednesday.
In continuation of hearing on bail application on Thursday, Sharma’s advocate Rakesh Parasar argued that the investigating agencies have not recovered anything from his (Sharma’s) possession and he has nothing to do with it 52 kg gold recovered from an abandoned car in Bhopal.
Parasar further tried to convince the court stating that Sharma has no criminal background and he will co-operate with the agencies for investigation in the matter.
However, the prosecution objected contending that investigation by multiple agencies in the case is still underway. After hearing arguments from both sides, justice Rampratap Mishra rejected Sharma’s bail application.
Saurabh Sharma along with his two associates Chetan Gaur and Sharad Jaiswal, who were arrested by Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police on January 28 and 29, are in judicial custody.
During the investigation, Sharma and his aides revealed the names of several government officials, politicians, and other influential people, alleging them to be part of the big game.
The ED sleuths are verifying the involvement of the people named and checking the call records.
Several raids by the Lokayukta and Income Tax department unearthed unaccounted assets related to Saurabh Sharma.
On December 20, the officials seized a car near a jungle in Bhopal and recovered Rs 11 crore in cash and gold bars worth 52 kg. He has been absconding since then.
A lookout notice was issued against him. Meanwhile, the investigative agencies conducted back-to-back raids at the premises of his business partners and relatives.
After much pressure, Sharma and Gaur finally surrendered themselves at Lokayukta Court in Bhopal on January 28, while Sharad Jaiswal has surrendered on next day.
–IANS
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