Madhuri Gupta denied bail

In her bail plea,53-year-old Gupta,facing charges under the Official Secrets Act,had submitted to the court that since she was no more required for the purpose of investigation in the case,she should be granted bail. She also submitted that there was no likelihood of her absconding from the process of law as she is a permanent resident of Delhi.

Gupta was arrested from Delhi on April 22 after being asked to come back from Pakistan following a complaint filed against her by Ashok Tomar,Additional Secretary,Ministry of External Affairs,with the Special Cell.

Joginder Dahiya,Gupta’s counsel,told the court that she did not have access to classified information and referred to a statement made by Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur in Parliament on April 29 to support her argument.

Dahiya also cited Gupta’s ill-health as reason for her bail. He submitted that Gupta was a chronic patient of blood pressure and had high sugar level and should be given bail.

But the court went with the Additional Public Prosecutor,Rita Sharma,who opposed the bail application saying that some officials were yet to be examined in the case against her. Sharma also said they were awaiting the forensic reports of the computers seized from Gupta.