Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 4: In the much hyped revenue records tampering case whereby UT land worth crores of rupees was transferred illegally in the names of locals, High Court today granted pre-arrest bail to Rajesh Kumar, the then Tehsildar Nagrota.
After hearing Advocates Rahul Pant and Prem Sadotra appearing for the applicant, Justice Puneet Gupta observed, “Riaz Ahmed, who had fudged the revenue entries, has been admitted to bail as the challan could not be produced within the statutory period before the competent court of law”.
“Accused Rajesh Kumar has allegedly attested the revenue entries made by the accused Riaz Ahmed in the capacity of Patwari. So far the involvement of the accused Rajesh Kumar beyond this allegation has not surfaced. The accused has any further involvement in the case cannot be commented upon in the present application”, High Court said.
“The court is of the view that as the applicant has already been suspended and cannot have direct approach to the office from where the wrong started and further that the applicant though an official has not been apprehended till date, whatever may be the reason, the court finds in the circumstances of the case that the bail in anticipation of arrest need not be denied to the applicant”, Justice Puneet said.
With these observations, High Court directed that in case the applicant Rajesh Kumar is arrested in the FIR, he shall be released on bail subject to furnishing of bail bond and surety bond to the tune of Rs 20,000each to the satisfaction of the I/O of the case.
“The applicant is directed to join the investigation within a period of three days and to attend the same thereafter as and when required and shall also not tamper with the evidence in any manner”, the court added.
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