Gautam Khaitan is one of the four Indians named in the AgustaWestland charge sheet.New Delhi:A Delhi court granted bail to AgustaWestland chopper scam accused Gautam Khaitan in a separate black money and laundering case on Tuesday.
Special Judge Arvind Kumar granted him relief on a personal bond or Rs 25 lakh and two sureties of like amount.The court put various conditions on Gautam Khaitan, including that he will not tamper with the evidence or try to contact or influence the witnesses and join the investigation as and when called.The court noted the submission made by senior advocate Sidharth Luthra and advocate P K Dubey, appearing for Gautam Khaitan, that he joined the investigation as and when called and answered the questions put to him."He joined the probe even before the arrest and also during the police remand for 13 days.
Even otherwise if the accused, at this stage, is required for investigation, he can be called to join the probe," Mr Dubey told the court.The court also noted that the case was based on documentary evidence and there was no likelihood that the accused may tamper with the evidence.Enforcement Directorate's special public prosecutor N K Matta and advocate Samvedna Verma had opposed the bail application, saying that the investigation was still going on and was at a crucial stage.The agency had also expressed apprehension that if granted the bail, the accused may flee from justice.The fresh criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was filed by the ED against Gautam Khaitan on the basis of a case lodged by the Income Tax Department against him under the provisions of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015Get the latest election news, live updates and election schedule for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 on TheIndianSubcontinent.com/elections.
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