The noose tightened around inspector general of police Pramod Kumar as Madras High Court on Friday dismissed his petition for bail in anticipation of arrest in connection with the multi-crore-rupee Paazee Forex Services scam.
“It is clear the petitioner’s custodial interrogation is very much required. When it is known to the court that an accused is not cooperating… such a person shall not be granted relief,” justice M.M. Sundresh said.
“Considering the personal liberty of Pramod Kumar and comparing it with the agony of thousands of depositors who still languish in the hope of getting some portion of their money, this court has to necessarily lean in favour of the overwhelming public interest,” the judge said.
CBI said Pramod shielded persons who cheated 52,000 depositors to the tune of `650 crore and extorted substantial amounts from them using and misusing official machinery.
The senior IPS officer had initially escaped probe as he was holding a high position with the then investigation agency, it said.
The agency said there was material that prima facie showed the accused were shielded at the behest and on the direction of Pramod.
HC said apart from the gravity of the case, the fact that the officer did not cooperate in the probe warranted denial of bail.
It said the investigation was at a crucial stage and the officer’s custodial interrogation would throw substantial light on the case.