Hawala scam: HC notice to Gujarat govt on Fatta's bail plea

The Gujarat High Court today issued a notice to the state government on a bail plea filed by Surat-based trader Afroz Fatta who was arrested in a case related to an alleged racket involving illegal money transfer of Rs 5,395 crore.
Justice J B Pardiwala posted the further hearing on February 16.
Fatta filed the plea on January 30 after the Surat district court refused him bail in December last year.
Fatta contends that the prosecution agency -- Surat city Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) -- has not mentioned a single witness in the charge sheet filed in October 2014.

Nor does it mention that Fatta deposited a single rupee in any bank account or give any proof regarding his alleged involvement in making bogus import bills, his application says.
He has also contended that some co-accused have been granted the bail, therefore he too should be released.
The Enforcement Directorate had on March 21 last year busted the racket during searches at the offices of Fatta and co-accused Madanlal Jain. The case was then transferred to police.
It is alleged that Fatta and Jain made bogus import bills showing that diamonds were purchased from foreign countries, and transferred money overseas, without ever importing a single diamond.