NALCO bribery case: Court grants bail to CMD aide

NEW DELHI: In a reprieve for B L Bajaj, who acted as a middleman in delivering bribes allegedly to former NALCO CMD A K Srivastava, a Delhi court granted him bail today.

Taking into account the medical condition of B L Bajaj who is suffering from various ailments like diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism, special CBI judge Sanjeev Jain granted him relief.

The court granted him bail on two sureties of Rs 50,000 each and has restrained him leaving the country without its permission.

Bajaj, 62, is accused of acting as a 'middleman' for delivering bribe to Srivastava. He was arrested along with the CMD by the CBI on February 25 following a tip-off. His wife and co-accused Anita Bajaj is already out on bail.

The agency had recovered about 10 kg of gold bricks and jewellery valued at around Rs 2.13 crore as also Rs 30 lakh in cash from their possession.

Granting bail to Bajaj, the court also noted that Bajaj's wife was also suffering from psychotic problem and he was the only person to look after her.

The CBI opposed his bail plea saying he was required to be confronted with another co-accused Bijay Madani, who was yet to be arrested by the agency and he might temper with the evidence if granted bail.

The court, however, turned down the plea of the CBI, saying that it has not been able to arrest Madani despite sufficient time, also the other five accused in the case have been granted bail and the conclusion of trial is going to take time.

Earlier, the court had denied him bail on May 18 on the similar ground of him being required to be confronted with Madani.