Ex-MP Dhananjay Singh gets bail in maid torture case

A court here Thursday granted bail to former parliamentarian Dhananjay Singh, accused of torturing a maid that led to her death.

The court observed that Dhananjay Singh - a former Bahujan Samaj Party parliamentarian from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh - had not misused his liberty while on interim bail.

Additional Sessions Judge Lokesh Kumar Sharma said Dhananjay Singh - while he was out on interim bail - had not made any attempt to intimidate witnesses who were still enjoying police protection.

The court also observed that Dhananjay Singh's father requires constant and continuous care.

"I am of the considered opinion that accused Dhananjay Singh is entitled to be admitted on bail permanently till disposal of the present petition," the judge said.

The court said Dhananjay Singh has now lost his aura of being a parliamentarian which was earlier cited as a major threat by the witnesses as they were stated to be under constant threat due to his position, power and status.

The court said his interim protection was made absolute on similar terms and conditions as imposed earlier.

While Dhananjay Singh was out on interim bail, his wife Jagriti is in Tihar Jail under judicial custody.

The court fixed Nov 22 for hearing arguments on framing of charges.

Dhananjay Singh, accused along with his wife in connection with the alleged murder of their maid, was chargesheeted Feb 1 for various offences, including destroying evidence and abetting murder and attempt to murder.