SC to look at denial of bail in VIP cases

SC said it would examine the matter of courts denying bail in high profile cases

With the denial of bail to 2G spectrum scam accused becoming a matter of debate,the Supreme Court today said it would examine the matter of courts denying bail in high profile cases.

The decision was taken by a bench comprising Justices Altamas Kabir,S S Nijjar and J Chelameshwar after a senior advocate argued that courts are not granting bail in cases that are media-driven and that judges are afraid for their confidential reports.

Bail was rejected in spite of settled law and rights under the constitution,he said.

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Ranjit Kumar,appearing for Ashok Kumar Sinha,an associate of former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda,submitted that the accused has been in jail for two years though the minimum sentence he can get is three years,and the maximum seven. Kumar is also representing top executives of Reliance Telecom in the 2G case.

He said the media was pre-judging issues,which tended to influence judges. Kumar urged the apex court to clearly lay down the law.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi,who is representing Vinod Goenka of DB Realty,endorsed Kumars argument and said under Sec. 437 of the CrPC,an accused is entitled to be released on bail if the maximum punishment is up to seven years.

Hearing will resume on January 18.