CBI in HC against bail granted to scribe Upendra Rai

The Delhi High Court today sought the response of journalist Upendra Rai, arrested by the CBI for his alleged involvement in dubious financial transactions, on a plea seeking cancellation of his bail.

Justice A K Chawla issued notice to the scribe and sought his stand by July 6 on the CBI's appeal against the trial court's June 8 decision granting him relief.

The agency, represented by senior advocate Aman Lekhi and advocate Rajdipa Behura, contended that the investigation was at a crucial stage and if released on bail, he might hamper the probe by tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses.

Rai was arrested by the CBI on May 3 for allegedly indulging in dubious financial transactions and getting an airport access pass made by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) by furnishing false information.

The Supreme Court had on May 4 refused to interfere with his arrest.

Prasun Roy, Chief Security Officer, Air One Aviation Pvt Ltd, was also booked by the CBI, which had carried out searches at eight locations in Lucknow, Noida, Delhi and Mumbai.

In its FIR, the agency has alleged that going by the value of the transactions of over Rs 1 lakh each during 2017, Rai's accounts received Rs 79 crore, while Rs 78.51 crore was debited from it during the same period.

Two days ago, another trial court had allowed custodial interrogation of Rai by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for another five days in a money laundering case related to alleged extortion and dubious financial transactions.

He was arrested on June 8 by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at the Tihar jail here, moments after he got bail in the CBI case.

The ED had registered a money laundering case against him based on the CBI FIR.