The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail application of Mumbai-based model Preeti Bhatia, who was arrested in October last for her alleged role in the multi-crore chit fund scam in the State.
Adjudicating the case, the apex court also asked the CBI, which is probing the scam, to submit a status report on the progress of the investigation by October 5. Bhatia had filed an appeal before the SC challenging the order of the Odisha High Court, which had turned down her bail petition on March 16. The court had observed that since there is prima facie evidence on her involvement in the scam and continuance of investigation may unearth more links, bail could not be given.
The HC had also pointed out that there was money trailing to the tune of Rs 1,17,83,000 from the Artha Tatwa Group accounts to Bhatia's accounts and she had given a substantial chunk of it to her sister as well as brother-in-law. The contention that the money was utilised by Bhatia's Prism Heights Films and Entertainment towards payment to artists, directors, cameramen and staff was also not proved with documentary evidence. The court had ordered that a notice shall be issued to the respondents in the case subject to the petitioner depositing Rs 1,17,83,000 before the trial court. Following the order, Bhatia had deposited the amount in May for hearing of her bail petition.