The Delhi
High Court on Friday granted bail to Kewal Krishan Kumar, Chairman &
Managing Director (CMD) of the Delhi-based Shakti Bhog Foods Limited, in a money
laundering case linked to an alleged Rs 3,200 crore bank loan fraud.
A single-judge bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh while
granting him relief in the case said: "I have held applicant is not sick
but he is entitled to bail."
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) had arrested Kumar
on July 4, 2021.
The central agency's money laundering probe
stems from a First Information Report registered by the Central Bureau of
Investigation against various others including Kumar for being allegedly
involved in criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct.
Kumar's arrest was in continuation of search carried
out at nine premises located in Delhi and Haryana during which various
incriminating documents and digital evidence were recovered, according to a
press release issued by the ED.
It was alleged that Kumar with others was involved in
diversion of funds from loan accounts by "round tripping of funds"
through related entities and siphoning of funds was carried out by way of
suspicious sale or purchase from various entities.
According to ED's allegations, M/s Shakti Bhog Snacks
Ltd., in association with Kumar, Raman Bhuraria (Chartered Account) and Devki
Nandan Garg (both were already granted bail) were involved in paper sale or
purchase transactions and dis not conduct any actual business transactions
resulting in false inflation of the financials.
On February 8, the High Court granted bail to
Chartered Accountant Bhuraria on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and one surety of
the like amount subject to certain conditions like not leaving the country and
joining the investigation.
Justice Singh had observed that a prima facie case for
his release was made out.
He had said that continuing pre-trial incarceration
will amount to a deprivation of personal liberty as well as a travesty of
justice.
The ED had opposed his bail plea stating that the
accused was the kingpin in the case.