A special CBI court on Tuesday granted bail to Anand Joshi — an MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) official — who was arrested for allegedly obtaining financial gains illegally by issuing FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) notices to several NGOs. The court said he cannot be jailed for an indefinite period.
Special CBI judge Vinod Kumar in his order said, “The accusations are very serious but at the same time the accused cannot be kept in jail for indefinite period, especially in view of the fact that he appears to have roots in society and has a family to support. Further it is not likely that he will flee from justice and shall not participate in investigation.”
Joshi was granted bail on furnishing personal bond of Rs50,000 with two sureties of the like amount.
The court was also subjected to certain conditions that till the continuation of investigation, he will not leave Ghaziabad and Delhi, he will have to deposit his passport to the investigating officer within seven days and he will not make any attempt to influence the witnesses or try to contact any NGO.
During the hearing, the bail application — which was moved on Monday — was opposed by the CBI saying that large amount of NGOs are required to be investigated and if released, he might influence them.
It was alleged that Anand Joshi while handling FCRA matters indulged in corrupt and illegal activities. He issued notices dishonestly to a large number of NGOs registered under FCRA 2010, which had been receiving amount of foreign contributions, in an arbitrary manner. It is alleged that he had demanded and obtained illegal gratification from these NGOs.
The MHA official also laundered his ill-gotten money in various immovable assets as well as certain private companies, which had been floated by him and his wife.
Joshi, who was arrested from West Delhi on May 15, is at present under judicial custody.
The CBI had earlier claimed that files relating to several NGOs had gone missing from the Home Ministry and they were recovered from his house although he was not supposed to take them away.