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The Calcutta High Court today granted interim bail to Firhad Hakim, Subrata Mukherjee, TMC MLA Madan Mitra & former Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee accused in Narada Scam who were under house arrest since May 21, 2021 

The bail was granted by the Constitution Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal, Justice I.P. Mukerji,Justice Harish Tandon, Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Arijit Banerjee.

“We are of the view that the factual and legal issues, sought to be raised by them, may require some time for final determination. At this point of time considering all circumstances we deem it fit and proper to grant interim bail to the accused.”, the Court said.

Solicitor General Mr Tushar Mehta while objecting to the grant of interim bail to the accused persons submitted that the accused(s) were influential persons who could tamper with evidence or make public statements regarding the case or gather a mob whenever they were called for further investigation or when the case was taken up for further hearing. 

The interim bail has been granted by the Court subject to the following conditions: 

1. The aforesaid accused persons, if they are not required in any other case, shall be released on bail subject to each one executing a bail bond of `2 lakhs with two sureties of like amount, to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, C.B.I. Court, Kolkata.
2. The aforesaid accused persons shall make themselves available for interrogation in the course of further investigation, if any, of the alleged offence, as and when required by the C.B.I. Considering the lockdown imposed in the State of West Bengal, the interrogation may be carried out by virtual mode.
3. The aforesaid accused persons shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to intimidate or influence the witnesses.
4. The aforesaid accused persons shall not give any press interview or make any public comments in connection with the cases pending in this Court or in the trial Court, pertaining to the alleged offence concerning themselves or any other co-accused.

Further the Court has also directed the accused(s) to file an undertaking by 31st May, 2021 before the Registrar General of this Court as well as the CBI stating that they would comply with the directions. 

“Violation of the aforesaid conditions may entail cancellation of the interim relief granted, in addition to initiation of any other appropriate proceedings. Filing of the undertaking shall not be a precondition to release of the accused persons on executing the bail bonds and furnishing sureties in terms of this order.”, the Court said.

The Court while adjourning the matter to be heard on May 31, 2021 at 12 noon has clarified that the interim order shall continue till disposal of these proceedings or until further order, whichever is earlier and shall abide by the final order to be passed.