Metro railway scam: former IAS officer's bail plea rejected

A local court rejected former IAS officer Sanjay Gupta's bail plea in connection with the alleged Rs 113 crore Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metro railway scam.
Additional Sessions Judge N G Dave rejected the bail plea of Gupta, who was Chairman of the metro rail project, stating that his release might obstruct the ongoing investigation into the alleged scam.
The court also observed that, prima facie, a case has been made out against the accused.
"It is clear from the statements recorded by the investigating officer and the documentary evidence that prima facie, a case has been made out against the applicant and accused (Gupta)," the court stated.

The court stated that the offence is very serious since Rs 113 crore of public money was misappropriated from a major project.
"The accused (Gupta) is a retired IAS officer who had served in different key departments of Gujarat. According to the statement of witnesses, it is manifest that most of them are subordinate or were dominated by the applicant accused," the court stated.

"Therefore, there is reasonable apprehension of witnesses being influenced and threat to the complainant," the court stated.
"The discretion in respect of bail must be exercised in a judicious manner and there are no grounds which entitle the applicant to the relief he seeks. In view of the above (observations), this application deserves to be rejected," the court stated.

Gujarat's CID had arrested Gupta on May 14, alleging financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 113 crore during his tenure as Chairman of metro rail project in 2012.