Air hostess suicide case: HC notice to Kanda, Chaddha

New Delhi, Sept 27: The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to former Haryana minister Gopal Goyal Kanda and his aide Aruna Chaddha, accused of abetting the suicide of a former air hostess, on a police plea seeking cancellation of their bail.

Justice J.R. Midha sought response from Kanda and Chaddha by Oct 1 on the plea of Delhi Police, asking the court to quash the trial court's order granting them bail.

Kanda spent 13 months in custody and got interim bail on Sept 4 from a Delhi court, to attend the state assembly till Oct 4. He represents Sirsa in the Haryana assembly. He also moved the city court for extension of bail on Thursday.

His co-accused and former employee Aruna Chaddha is also out on interim bail till Nov 15 to attend religious and family events.

The police moved the high court seeking quashing of the bail orders saying Kanda is an "influential person and would try to use his influence to disrupt further investigation".

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sidharth Luthra appearing for the police told the court that the trial court did not consider that from the date of his arrest Kanda filed several bail applications before various courts and his bail plea was even dismissed by the high court.

"In similar circumstances, the trial court and high court had earlier denied bail to Suresh Kalmadi (who was facing trial in CWG scam case) to attend the session, then how can trial court grant bail to Kanda," Luthra asked.

Kanda and his aide Aruna Chaddha were accused of abetting the suicide of a 23-year-old former air hostess. The two have denied the allegations.

The suicide victim left behind a note accusing Kanda and Chaddha of harassing her. She committed suicide on the night of Aug 4-5, 2012.

Kanda has been charged with rape, abetment to rape as well as suicide, criminal conspiracy and forgery and under the IT Act for hacking computers and sending offensive or false messages.

He was arrested on Aug 18, 2012 after he surrendered to Delhi Police, while Chaddha was arrested on Aug 8 last year.

IANS