"Accused Dwivedi is enlarged on bail on furnishing of a personal and surety bond of Rs 25,000 each," Metropolitan Magistrate Ravinder Singh said. However, the grant of bail in the case lodged under Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act will not enable Dwivedi, who is in jail since February 26, this year, to come out of jail as his another bail plea in a matter lodged under stringent MCOCA is still pending.
The court allowed the plea of M S Khan, counsel for Dwivedi, alias Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakootwale, that he deserved to be released on the ground of "parity" as other seven co-accused, including six alleged call girls, are already out on bail.
"Charges against the accused has already been framed. The investigation in the case is over. Co-accused are already on bail," defence lawyer said. Now, the court would record statements of witnesses on September 14 in the case lodged following the arrest six alleged call girls in February this year from a locality in South Delhi. Dwivedi and Praveen were nabbed subsequently.
Besides the present case, Dwivedi and his aide Praveen have been booked under stringent MCOCA for running a sex racket here. Police, however, are yet to complete the probe in the case lodged under MCOCA.
Dwivedi allegedly amassed wealth by running the sex racket and during custodial interrogation of the self-styled godman, the police, at the instance of the accused, have recovered documents relating to properties, investments and bank details.
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