A city court today rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former MLA Mohammed Sohrab, whose son Sambia was arrested in a hit-and-run case in which an airman was killed during the Republic Day parade rehearsal here.
Additional District and Sessions Judge of First Fast Track Court, Kallol Kumar Das, rejected Sohrab's plea after the public prosecutor stated that the bail, if granted, could influence the investigation into the case.
Sohrab had moved the anticipatory bail plea on February 17 when the hearing was adjourned by Subhra Ghosh, Chief Judge at the City Sessions Court, on a request by the prosecution till today.
The prosecution lawyer described Sohrab as an influential person and the case as a high-profile one and submitted the case diary in a CD-format to the court.
Sohrab's counsel submitted that IPC Sections 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 212 (harbouring an offender) under which the former MLA has been charged are bailable and should be granted bail.
Sambia has been charged under sections 302 (murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 212 (harbouring an offender) and 427 (mischief) of IPC for the death of IAF Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud. He is in judicial custody now.
Mohammed Sohrab, said to be a Trinamool Congress member and a former RJD MLA, and his elder son Ambia have been absconding since the January 13 incident and police have launched a search for the two in and outside the state. TMC, however, has denied any connection with Sohrab or his sons.
Two friends of Sambia, Shahnawaz Khan alias Sonu and Johnny, were also arrested in connection with the case.
A warrant of arrest has been issued against Sohrab by a city court on a plea by Kolkata Police which is investigating the matter.
Gaud was mowed down by a speeding Audi SUV at around 6.30 AM on January 13 on Red Road outside Fort William, the Eastern Command headquarters, following which the occupants fled.
