Abhishek Verma granted bail, but to remain in jail

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A special court here Monday granted bail to businessman Abhishek Verma in a forgery case after CBI failed to file the chargesheet against him within the stipulated time of 60 days from his arrest.

However, despite being granted bail in this case, Verma will remain in jail since he is also an accused in a money laundering case and a case under Official Secrets Act (1923) for allegedly passing on sensitive defence documents. He is in judicial custody.

Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Judge Sanjeev Jain granted bail to Verma on a personal bond of Rs.5 lakh and two sureties of like amount observing that probe agency failed to file chargesheet in the case within the stipulated period of 60 days.

However, Verma could not furnish his bail bond so the court extended his judicial custody till Oct 20.

"The offences alleged in the case are punishable with a maximum punishment of seven years. As the stipulated period for completion of investigation under Section 167 CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) of 60 days is already complete, accused Abhishek Verma is entitled to statutory bail," the judge said.

The court imposed condition on Verma while granting him bail that he will not leave the country without permission and will not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses of the case.

Verma was arrested with his Romanian wife Anca Neacsu on August 8 by the CBI over a forgery complaint filed by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Ajay Maken. As per law CBI had to file chargesheet in the case within a period of 60 days from the day of arrest.

Anca was granted bail in the case Aug 29 on condition that she will not leave the country without permission. Abhishek and Anca are also accused in two different cases and are in judicial custody till Oct 12 in the secret act case.

The CBI had alleged that Verma had written a letter in 2009 to the prime minister on a forged letterhead of then Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken, seeking easing of business visa norms.

Verma is also an accused in the 2006 naval war room leak case, in which classified documents were leaked from the directorate of naval operations.