SC rejects interim bail plea of Sukhdev Singh Namdhari

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the interim bail plea of Sukhdev Singh Namdhari -- one of the accused in the killing of businessman Ponty Chadha and his brother Hardeep Chadha.

Dismissing the plea for interim bail, the apex court vacation bench, comprising Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Amitava Roy, asked: "Why interim bail was granted (to him) from time to time? It was granted, extended and finally it was rejected (by the high court)."

Refusing to interfere with the high court's order rejecting his plea for bail, the apex court bench observed: "When you moved the high court for bail, the trial court granted you interim bail."

Namdhari is a co-accused in the killing of Ponty Chadha and his brother Hardeep Chadha allegedly in a shootout in Chattarpur in November, 2012. Both Ponty and Hardeep reportedly had a dispute over property.

Namdhari was the head of Uttarakhand minorities panel when the incident took place. Later he was sacked from the panel.

"Does anything remain to be said in favour or against you," asked the bench unimpressed by the submission made by Namdhari's counsel who said "I am only seeking an interim bail".

"Are we in a system governed by the rule of law," wondered Justice Roy as Namdhari's counsel made efforts to persuade the court to grant interim bail.

The counsel drew blank as he sought some liberty, when the bench observed: "You are creating you own liberties. Why you need liberty from us?"

--IANS

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