COURT REJECTS DELHI BIZMAN’S PRE-ARREST BAIL PLEA IN O2 CASE

NEW DELHI: A Delhi Court Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail application of Navneet Kalra in connection with allegedly black marketing oxygen concentrators, saying that allegations against him are serious and his custodial interrogation is required to “unearth the entire conspiracy”.

Fearing arrest, Kalra had moved the court earlier this week to seek bail in the case, claiming that no offence was made out against him and that he is willing to join the investigation.

Additional Session Judge Sandeep Garg dismissed his application and stated, “Custodial interrogation of accused is required to be carried out to unearth the entire conspiracy hatched between him and a number of co-accused persons.” During a recent raid, 524 oxygen concentrators, were recovered from three restaurants owned by Kalra -- Khan Chacha, Nega Ju and Town Hall and he is suspected to have left Delhi along with his family. The concentrators are crucial medical equipment used for Covid-19 patients.

“The accused has not joined the investigation till date. Mobile phone of accused which reportedly contains incriminating Whatsapp chats with customers, details of calls made to co-accused persons and his accounts are required to be seized,” the court stated. The judge said the possibility of the accused tampering with the evidence or intimidating the witnesses cannot be ruled out.