Rail Neer scam: Court grants bail to businessman

New Delhi, Dec 22: A Delhi court has granted bail to a businessman who has been chargesheeted by CBI along with others in Rail Neer scam for alleged irregularities in supply of packaged drinking water in Rajdhani and other superfast trains.

Special Judge Vinod Kumar enlarged Sharan Bihari Aggarwal, owner of R K Associates, on bail on a personal bond of Rs two lakh with one surety of like amount, observing that charge sheet has already been filed in the case and an accused cannot be kept in jail for indefinite period. He was arrested in October.

The court noted that investigation in the case was over and CBI has filed a charge sheet but since the sanction to prosecute accused public servants under the provision of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act has not been received, it cannot take cognisance of the final report.

"In the present case, the investigation is complete and charge sheet has been filed. Since the sanction under section 19 of the PC Act in respect of public servants has not been received and same is likely to take considerable time, the cognisance could not be taken despite filing of the charge sheet," the court said.

"In these circumstances, accused cannot be kept in jail for indefinite period, therefore, I admit the accused Sharan Bihari Aggarwal to bail on furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs two lakh with one surety in the like amount," the judge said.

CBI has opposed the bail plea, saying allegation against the accused were serious in nature. The court had earlier granted bail to arrested accused Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officers Sandeep Silas and M S Chalia in connection with the case.

These three accused were arrested by CBI in the case in which it has alleged that supply of other brands of packaged water had resulted in a huge loss to the railways. CBI has filed a charge sheet in the case against Chalia, Silas, Aggarwal and others, including various firms.

The charge sheet has been filed under various provisions of IPC, including criminal conspiracy, and under the provision of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

CBI has earlier alleged that the two accused officials, who held the position of Chief Commercial Manager, had shown favour to certain private firms in supply of cheap packaged drinking water other than 'Rail Neer' which is mandatory in premium trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi.

PTI