CWG scam: HC grants bail to Suresh Kalmadi

After remaining behind bars for nearly nine months, former CWG Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi was today granted bail by the Delhi High Court in a 2010 Games-related graft case. The court also granted bail to OC former director general and co-accused VK Verma.

While granting them bail, Justice Mukta Gupta directed them to furnish before the trial court a bail bond of Rs 5 lakh each and two sureties of the like amount.

Justice Gupta said, "There is no allegation that the petitioners are likely to flee from justice and will not be available for the trial." The court directed them not to leave the country without prior permission of the trial court.

Kalmadi was arrested by the CBI on April 25, 2011 while Verma was arrested on February 23, 2011 in the Timing, Scoring and Result system scam.

While allowing their plea for bail which cited Supreme Court's judgement in 2G spectrum case wherein it was held that "bail is rule and jail is exception", Justice Gupta said, "There is no allegation of money trail to the petitioners. There is also no evidence that the petitioner is threatening witnesses or interfering with evidence during investigation or trial."

Kalmadi had moved the High Court in January, seeking bail citing the Supreme Court's judgement in 2G spectrum case and said it has been held that "bail is rule and jail is exception".