HC reserves order on bail plea of CWG scam accused

The Delhi High Court today reserved its verdict on a bail plea of A K Reddy, arrested for alleged irregularities in a contract for timing, scoring and result (TSR) equipment for the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG).

Justice Mukta Gupta reserved the order after lawyers appearing for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Reddy concluded their arguments.

Reddy, an official of Hyderabad-based company A K R Construction, is the only accused who has not been granted bail by the court in the case. All others, including CWG Organising Committee's (OC) sacked chief Suresh Kalmadi, have been released on bail by the court.

Seeking bail on the ground of parity, Reddy pleaded even the main accused, Kalmadi, and Organising Committee Director General V K Verma, were freed on bail and he is also entitled to the same relief.

Challenging the trial court's February 16 order dismissing his plea, Reddy said the alleged role attributed to him is insignificant in comparison to other accused persons including that of Kalmadi and Verma.

"All the other co-accused persons against whom more serious and grave allegations are alleged by CBI have been released on regular bail. On the ground of parity, there is no impediment in enlarging the petitioner on regular bail on just conditions," Reddy said in the petition.

The chargesheet does not disclose that he had conspired or was in any way involved in the alleged conspiracy with any of the OC members or even the other accused, Reddy's lawyer contended.

Reddy's counsel submitted his client must be given bail as he had never tried to influence the witnesses in the case.

"All the witnesses who have deposed against the petitioner were examined between February, 2011, and April, 2011, in the original list of witnesses. Therefore, there is no way the petitioner can influence the witnesses or their statement," said the petition.

The officials and the two companies were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating, criminal conspiracy and forgery and under the Prevention of Corruption Act.