Yes Bank Scam: Bombay HC Grants Interim Bail To DHFL Promoter Wadhawan
The Bombay High Court has granted interim bail to Dheeraj Wadhawan, a Dewan Housing Finance (DHFL) promoter accused in the DHFL-Yes Bank scam being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The bail was granted to allow Wadhawan to undergo spine surgery at a private hospital.
Although the past misuse of liberty by Wadhawan was noted, Justice SM Modak granted bail after considering various factors. Wadhawan's counsels Amit Desai and Vijay Aggarwal submitted his medical report to assert his medical condition and argued that the probe in the case was over and the chargesheet was already filed.
Desai also mentioned that Wadhawan had undergone previous hospitalisation with a police escort, but issues and interference from police officials were noted. He asked why Wadhawan couldn't be granted bail in this case if he was granted bail in other cases.
CBI Special Public Prosecutor AM Chimalkar opposed the interim bail, citing Wadhawan's past misconduct and inappropriate behavior during judicial custody. Chimalkar highlighted the instances of meeting people, attempting to hand over a dongle mobile during custody, consuming outside food and selling paintings and watches purchased from proceeds of crime.
Justice Modak acknowledged the difficulty in determining the motive behind instances of misuse of liberty and emphasised the need to balance concerns. However, the judge turned down the counsel's request for post-hospitalisation care at home.
Following Chimalkar's apprehension, Justice Modak also restrained Wadhawan from signing any documents except medical ones due to concerns about asset disposal related to the case. The High Court has sought the hospital to provide a weekly health report to the court and to notify them three days in advance before discharging Wadhawan.
