New Delhi

A Delhi court has granted bail to a woman accused in a cheating case involving allegations of impersonating officials of the Enforcement Directorate, observing that the investigation against her had been completed and no useful purpose would be served by keeping her in custody.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vinod Joshi of the South-East District, Saket Courts, passed the order while deciding the bail application of Pooja Rajput in an FIR registered at New Friends Colony police station.

The court noted that the chargesheet had already been filed and that Rajput had spent a considerable period in judicial custody.

According to the defence, Rajput was not the principal accused in the case, no recovery had been made from her, and she was willing to comply with any conditions imposed by the court. It was also submitted that no other bail application filed by her was pending before any court.

The prosecution opposed the plea, contending that Rajput was part of a conspiracy in which victims were allegedly cheated by individuals posing as ED officials. The State further argued that two accused persons were still absconding and highlighted the seriousness of the allegations.

After hearing both sides, the court observed that another accused, identified as Rekha, was stated to be the main perpetrator of the alleged offence.

The court further noted that the items recovered from Rajput's residence consisted of uniforms and identity cards allegedly belonging to co-accused Prakash, who had already been arrested.

Taking into account that the investigation relating to Rajput had concluded, that the chargesheet had been filed, and that this was her first bail application after the filing of the chargesheet, the court held that continued incarceration was unwarranted.

"No fruitful purpose would be served by keeping the accused behind bars," the court observed while allowing the application.

Rajput was granted bail upon furnishing a bail bond along with two sureties of the like amount.

The court imposed several conditions, directing that she:

• Shall not contact or visit the complainant or prosecution witnesses;
• Shall not indulge in any activity that may hamper the due process of law;
• Shall keep her mobile phone switched on at all times and share her active number with investigating authorities; and
• Shall not leave the country without prior permission of the court.

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The bail application was disposed of accordingly, and a copy of the order was directed to be sent to the Jail Superintendent for information and compliance.