Delhi court denies bail to Kalra in O2 concentrator black marketing case
A Delhi court on Thursday refused to grant anticipatory bail to businessman Navneet Kalra in connection with seizure of oxygen concentrators, required by COVID patients, from his upscale restaurants including ‘Khan Chacha’ in national capital.
“Application is dismissed,” Additional Session Judge Sandeep Garg said. Fearing arrest, the businessman had moved the court earlier this week to seek bail in the case. During a recent raid, 524 oxygen concentrators were recovered from three restaurants owned by Kalra and it is suspected that he has left Delhi along with his family.
“His intention was to cheat the public at large and wrongfully gain. Had Delhi Police not busted the racket, many people would have been cheated,” Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava had said on Wednesday and the court had reserved the order. Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, representing Kalra, asked the court how his client can be accused of selling concentrators at exorbitant prices, if there is no ceiling price fixed. The advocate emphasised that selective leaks are made by Delhi Police against Kalra and he is being made a scapegoat to divert attention from core issues.
Hitesh granted bail
Meanwhile, a Delhi Court granted bail to accused Hitesh Kumar in connection with a case relating to the alleged hoarding of oxygen concentrators in a South Delhi restaurant. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Arun Kumar Garg asked Kumar to furnish a personal bond and surety bond of Rs 50,000.