Court rejects Elder Pharma official's anticipatory bail plea

New Delhi : A Delhi court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of COO of Elder Pharmaceuticals Anuj Saxena, accused of bribing former Ministry of Corporate Affair official B.K. Bansal, who committed suicide recently.

The court directed the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to surrender within two days.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Gurdeep Singh, rejecting the bail application of Saxena, said: "I am of the opinion that he (Saxena) is not entitled to relief of bail even in the event of his arrest."

The court noted that instead of joining investigation, Saxena is moving his bail application one after the other.

This was the third bail application of Saxena, which was rejected.

The judge observed that the courts cannot be used to avoid an investigation.

Earlier, referring to the suicide by the Bansals, Saxena's defence counsel had expressed his concern about the fate of his client at the hands of the investigating agency.

The court responded that it hopes and trusts that the CBI would adhere to all the human rights considerations while interrogating the accused.

Saxena had contacted another co-accused Vishwadeep Bansal to negotiate with senior Corporate Affairs Ministry official for not recommending the matter to Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) for investigation against his company -- Elder Pharmaceuticals.

The CBI has alleged that MCA officer Bansal was dealing with the violation by Elder Pharmaceuticals.

The court observed that Saxena's role is direct, as he was the beneficiary from the alleged offence.

Public Prosecutor K.P. Singh has also opposed Saxena's plea seeking relief.

Key accused B.K. Bansal and and his 31-year-old son Yogesh committed suicide on September 27 by hanging themselves at their house in east Delhi. His wife Satyabala, 57, and daughter Neha, 27, committed suicide on July 19.

Bansal, an Additional Secretary-rank Director General in the ministry, was arrested by the CBI on bribery charges on July 16.