SC grants interim bail to ex-Deputy Secretary to former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel in money-laundering case

Noting that she has been in jail for the last 21 months, the Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to suspended civil servant Saumya Chaurasia -- ex-Deputy Secretary to former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel -- in a money-laundering case linked to coal scam.

"Without expressing any opinion on merits, and with a view to giving an opportunity of elaborate hearing to the parties on the next date, we direct that petitioner (Chaurasia) be released on interim bail, subject to furnishing of bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court,” a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant said.

“Without charges being framed, how long can you keep a person in jail? (Maximum) sentence is seven years! What’s the rate of conviction in PMLA cases? In Parliament, they said only in 41 cases there has been conviction...then? You keep a person in jail for years!" said the Bench – which also included Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan.

The top court, however, said the state government would not reinstate Chaurasia in service merely because she has been granted interim bail, making it clear that she would continue to be under suspension till further orders.

The Bench said Chaurasia’s passport would remain deposited with the trial court and she would not leave India without prior permission of the trial court. It also asked her not to attempt to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence; cooperate in the trial and remain present before the trial court.

The order came after senior counsel Siddharth Dave submitted on behalf of Chaurasia that she had been in jail for 21 months; the trial was yet to commence; and three co-accused had been released on bail.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, opposed the bail plea of Chaurasia who was arrested in the case in December 2022.