Saradha scam: Trinamool lawmaker denied bail, judicial custody extended

Rejecting his bail plea, a city court on Thursday extended the judicial remand of Trinamool Congress lawmaker and Saradha scam accused Madan Mitra till January 14.

Mitra was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on December 12, 2014, for his alleged complicity in the multi-crore-rupee scam. He stepped down as the state transport minister in November.

Pressing for bail, Mitra's counsel contended that the CBI's assertion of him being an influential person did not stand as he was no more a minister.

The counsel also pleaded for his bail on health grounds.

The CBI has been repeatedly opposing Mitra's bail plea contending he was an influential person and granting him bail would adversely affect the investigation.

The court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sougata Roy Chowdhury extended his judicial custody by 14 days.

Arrested and indicted by the CBI on charges of cheating, conspiracy and criminal breach of trust, Mitra was granted bail by a lower court on October 31.

However, the relief was subsequently cancelled by the Calcutta High Court on November 19 and he has been in judicial custody since then.