CBI vs CBI: Agency fails to file charge sheet against accused, gets bail

CBI's failure to file charge sheet within the mandatory 60 days led a Delhi court on Tuesday to grant statutory bail to an alleged middleman arrested in connection with a bribery case involving the probe agency's Special Director Rakesh Asthana.

Special CBI judge Santosh Snehi Mann granted the relief to Manoj Prasad, accepting his submissions that he was entitled to statutory bail as the agency could not file its report within time.

Senior advocate Vikahs Pahwa, appearing for the accused, told the court that FIR against Prasad under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC "did not include any offence which was punishable with death, life imprisonment or for a term of maximum 10-year jail term".

The court said: "In view of the settled legal position, the statutory period for completion of investigation (filing of charge sheet) applicable to this case, when the accused is in judicial custody, is 60 days."