Delhi: Court grants bail to advocate accused in jail extortion racket case
Rouse Avenue Court grants bail to advocate Harendra Bansal in the Rohini Jail extortion racket case after 73 days in custody.
In a significant development regarding the high-profile jail extortion racket operating out of Delhi's prisons, the Rouse Avenue Court has granted bail to advocate Harendra Bansal. The decision comes after the legal professional spent approximately 73 days in custody following his arrest on July 16.
The Court's Reasoning for Bail
Special Judge (ACB) Vidya Prakash presided over the matter and granted the relief, citing several critical factors. The court noted that the period of incarceration, the nature of the evidence, and the specific role attributed to the accused warranted the application being allowed. Furthermore, the judge highlighted the principle of parity, as other accused individuals in the same case had already been released on bail.
The court also pointed out a procedural detail: the Investigating Officer had not sought custodial remand for the advocate. Additionally, when the prosecution argued that the accused might hamper the ongoing investigation if released, the court observed that the agency failed to provide any specific basis or explanation for such an apprehension.
Conditions of Release
The bail was not unconditional. To secure his release, Harendra Bansal must fulfill the following requirements:
- Furnish a bail bond of Rs 50,000.
- Provide one surety in the same amount.
The Defense: Legal Fees vs. Extortion
During the legal proceedings, the counsel for Mr. Bansal presented a different perspective on the allegations. The defense argued that the advocate's involvement was purely professional. According to his lawyer, Bansal frequently visited Rohini Jail to meet his brother-in-law, during which time he encountered several family members of Under Trial Prisoners (UTPs).
The defense maintained that:
- Bansal provided legitimate legal assistance to these families in exchange for professional fees.
- The money identified in his bank accounts—which the prosecution claims are illegal transactions—actually consists of these lawful legal fees.
Background of the Extortion Allegations
The investigation was triggered by an FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) following a complaint lodged by an individual named Kunal. The complaint painted a grim picture of life inside the Rohini Jail.
Kunal alleged that his father and brother, who had been incarcerated since 2020, were subjected to extreme hardship by jail officials over a period of six to seven months. The complainant claimed that the pressure to pay bribes was so intense that his family was forced to sell their house to meet the demands. This complaint laid the groundwork for the ACB's probe into an alleged racket operating from within the national capital's prison system.