Saradha scam: SC declines to entertain plea of ex-Union Minister

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today refused to entertain the bail plea of former Union Minister Matang Sinh, arrested in connection with the multi-crore rupee Saradha chit fund scam case, saying the probe has not yet been completed.

"This gentleman is a highly connected person," a bench, comprising Justices T S Thakur and V Gopala Gowda, also said, observing that Sinh was not entitled for bail at this stage.

When his counsel said Sinh was not such a person, the bench shot back saying, "We know his connections".

"The Home Secretary of Government of India has lost his job and you say he is not a highly connected person," it said.

The apex court said bail cannot be considered at this stage as vital witnesses are to examined and investigation into the cases have to be completed.

The bench was also not convinced about granting bail to Sinh on the ground that of the 11 accused in the case involving Sinh, eight have been granted bail.

It allowed his counsel and senior advocate Harin Raval to withdraw the petition.

Sinh was arrested by the CBI on January 31 this year in connection with Saradha Realty case on charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating.

The former Congress MP from Assam had been earlier questioned by Enforcement Directorate too in connection with scam in Delhi.

In April this year, the CBI had filed the charge sheet against Sinh and his four companies in connection with the case.