The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought response from Sanjeev Chawla, allegedly accused in a match fixing scandal in cricket involving former South African captain Hansie Cronje, on a plea by Delhi Police challenging the bail granted to him.
A bench of Chief Justice S.A. Bobde, through video-conferencing, took up an appeal filed by Delhi Police challenging Delhi High Court passed on May 6, which upheld a trial court's decision to grant bail to Chawla. The bench, in its order, said the notice is returnable in two weeks.
In its plea before the High Court, the police had said: "The accused Sanjeev Kumar Chawla is a British national. It took 20 years to bring him to justice in India. Investigation agency worked hard on this case to get the accused extradited from the UK and succeeded in the matter as the case is very strong on law and facts. There is a likelihood of the accused fleeing away from justice."
The High Court in its May 6 order said on the belief of flight risk, the liberty of a person "cannot be left in limbo". The High Court said this case highlights the need for use of technology, like the GPS tracking system used in the US, to track under-trials.
The trial court had granted him bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh with two sureties of like amount. Chawla had been directed not to leave the country without permission, provide his and his brother's mobile number to the police and keep their phones operational all the time. The bookie had also been directed by the court to give his voice sample and specimen handwriting after coming out on bail.
The trial court had said: "...in view of COVID-19 pandemic which is not likely to end before one or two years as per WHO, and in view of the fact that no cricket match was thrown or lost pursuant to alleged match fixing, the accused Sanjeev Kumar Chawla is ordered to be released on bail."
The court, while granting him bail, further observed that he was in custody for the last 76 days and a charge sheet has already been filed in the case.
( With inputs from IANS )