The Supreme Court refused to entertain the bail plea of former Union Minister Matang Sinh, arrested in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam case.
The apex court denied his bail on grounds that the probe has not yet been completed. “This gentleman is a highly connected person,” the bench comprising Justices TS Thakur and V Gopala Gowda said.
When his counsel said Sinh was not such a person, the bench shot back saying, “We know his connections. The Home Secretary of Government of India has lost his job and you say he is not a highly connected person”.
The apex court said bail cannot be considered at this stage as vital witnesses are to be examined and investigation into the cases have to be completed. The bench was also not convinced about granting bail to Sinh on the ground that eight out of the 11 accused in the case have been granted bail.
It allowed his counsel and senior advocate Harin Raval to withdraw the petition. Sinh was arrested by the CBI on January 31, 2015 in connection with Saradha Realty case on charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating.
The former Congress MP from Assam had been earlier questioned by Enforcement Directorate too in connection with the scam in Delhi. In April this year, the CBI had filed the charge sheet against Sinh and his four companies in connection with the case.
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