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The Supreme Court today granted interim bail to former Managing Director of Unitech Ltd., Sanjay Chandra. (Bhupinder Singh vs Unitech)
The Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah today granted interim bail to promoter and former Managing Director of Unitech, Sanjay Chandra on account of ill-health of both his parents who tested positive for COVID-19.
Chandra, who has been in prison for about three years on charges of cheating homebuyers and fraud concerning siphoning off of monies, will be released on interim bail for a period of thirty days. The Court granted the interim relief on humanitarian grounds and said,
"...we are of the view that a case for the grant of interim bail has been made out on humanitarian grounds since both the parents of the applicant have tested positive for Covid-19 and having regard to their advanced age."
Chandra, in his bail plea, had told the Court that his father is hospitalized and is placed in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while his mother too is unwell and lodged in a hospital. The Court while allowing Chandra's release for thirty days, denied similar relief to his younger brother Ajay Chandra. The Court, recording Chandra's grounds for seeking interim bail, said in its order:
"Interim bail has been sought having regard to the condition of the parents of the applicant. The applicant has stated that his spouse is presently abroad and has been unable to return due to the lock down. The brother of the applicant, Ajay Chandra, is also in judicial custody."
The Court thus, directed for Chandra's release subject to conditions that:
his passport shall be deposited with the Trial Court;
he shall report to the nearest Police Station every Sunday;
he shall furnish bail bond of Rs 1 Lakh
he shall surrender immediately on completion of the period of thirty days.
The Chandra brothers have been lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail since August of 2017.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court in January had allowed for the government to take management control of Unitech after the Centre had placed a proposal of the same. Former IAS Officer Yudvir Singh Malik was appointed as the new Chairman.
While accepting Centre's proposal on taking over management control of Unitech, the Apex Court also granted a two-month moratorium to the company's new Board against legal proceedings.
Chandra was represented by Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi while ASG KM Natraj represented NCT of Delhi and Advocate ML Lahoty appeared for the intervenors.
Read Order: