Jalgaon Housing Scam: SC grants Bail to ex-minister Suresh Jain [Read Order]

The influential politician from Maharashtra was arrested in March 2012 for allegedly favouring a builder and indulging in irregularities to the tune of Rs 29 crore

In a reprieve for jailed former Maharashtra minister Suresh Jain, the Supreme Court on Friday granted him bail in the multi-crore Jalgaon housing scheme scam case.

Suresh Jain, an influential politician from Maharashtra, was arrested in March 2012 for allegedly favouring a builder and indulging in irregularities to the tune of Rs 29 crore.

The Bombay High Court has denied him bail on the ground that the accused is an influential person and is likely to temper with the evidence.

In January 2016, the Supreme Court, while considering his bail application, observed that there were 157 prosecution witnesses to be examined and going by the speed or the manner with which the witnesses are being examined, it would take years to complete the trial.

The apex court directed the prosecution to make all endeavours to ensure that all material witnesses are examined on or before June 30, 2016.

With regard to the submission that witness examination is over, the apex court bench comprising Justice S.A. Bobde and Justice Ashok Bhushan granted bail to the former minister. It stated: “Having regard to the nature of the offences; the fact that the petitioner has been in custody for about four and a half years and in view of the fact that the major apprehension expressed by the High Court is taken care of, we consider it appropriate, in the circumstances of this case to release the petitioner on bail.”

Read the order here.