Ex-Bureaucrats Bail Plea Rejected in Cash-for-Compassionate Jobs Scam

A Delhi court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of a former bureaucrat accused of promising a job on compassionate grounds and fabricating a complaint against a Delhi government official in a cash-for-jobs scam.

A court in New Delhi has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of a former bureaucrat, A V Prem Nath, who is accused of promising a job to a man on compassionate grounds and enticing him to file a fabricated complaint against the Delhi government's special secretary vigilance in connection with a cash-for-compassionate jobs scam.

Background of the Case

Nath, a 1997-batch officer of the Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli Civil Services (DANICS) cadre, was prematurely retired by the Centre in October 2023 while posted with the Delhi government's Urban Development Department. He was also under suspension over allegations of molesting a minor.

The IP Estate police station had registered an FIR against Nath under various penal provisions, including criminal conspiracy, cheating by personation, forgery for the purpose of cheating, and using forged documents as genuine.

Details of the Allegations

According to the FIR lodged by Nakul Kashyap, his father, an employee at LNJP Hospital, passed away in 2016 while on duty. Kashyap applied to the Delhi Secretariat for employment on compassionate grounds, but no action was taken.

Kashyap claimed that his relatives introduced him to Nath, who asserted his acquaintance with Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and promised to help secure the job on compassionate grounds. After a few months, Nath showed Kashyap some documents and informed him that he had spoken with Bharadwaj. He stated that once a complaint was filed against YVVJ Rajshekhar, Special Secretary Services and Vigilance in the Delhi government, Kashyap would be employed.

However, during the investigation into the complaint against Rajshekhar, it was discovered that the complaint contained false allegations of caste-based remarks made by Rajshekhar against Kashyap. Additionally, it was revealed that a fake email ID had been created in Kashyap's name, which was used to send complaints against Rajshekhar to various individuals.

Court's Decision

Considering the serious nature of the allegations against Nath and his lack of cooperation in the investigation, Additional Sessions Judge Sushil Anuj Tyagi dismissed his anticipatory bail plea. The court noted that Nath had failed to produce his mobile phone, which was allegedly used in the commission of the crime.

The court also highlighted that the Delhi High Court had previously dismissed Nath's plea for quashing the FIR, and the Supreme Court had dismissed his appeal but allowed him to apply for bail. Given these circumstances, the court concluded that granting anticipatory bail would hinder the investigation.

The rejection of A V Prem Nath's anticipatory bail plea underscores the seriousness of the allegations against him in the cash-for-compassionate jobs scam. The court's decision emphasizes the importance of thorough investigations and cooperation with law enforcement authorities in such cases.