Patna High Court Stays Arrest Of Former Vice Chancellor Of Magadh University In Corruption Case

While hearing the anticipatory bail petition filed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the Single Bench of Justice Ashutosh Kumar ordered,

"Till the next date (9^th May) of hearing of these cases, no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner."

The hearing was adjourned as Spl. P.P. for the Special Vigilance Unit, Rana Vikram Singh, sought a week's time to file a reply.

The court ordered that the counter affidavit be filed positively by the next date. It further directed that a copy of the same shall be served to the counsel for the petitioner in advance so that in case it is deemed necessary to rejoin, that can also be done on or before the next date.

A case was registered against Prasad under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy to commit offence), section 420 (forgery) of the IPC and various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He is said to have bypassed all the rules and procedural formalities in his capacity as Vice-Chancellor of the University, for making purchases of papers and other stationary items from different persons, thereby causing losses to the State ex-chequer as also to the University.

He was given interim protection by the Apex Court for a period of three weeks, which expired on 26th April, 2022.

In the last hearing, the Special Vigilance Unit submitted that during the course of simultaneous raids at different places, Rs. 1.82 Crores was recovered from the Gorakhpur residence of the petitioner, which accusation the counsel for the petitioner denied.

It was asserted by the prosecution that there are many more graver accusations against the petitioner which has been unearthed during the course of investigation, which facts he shall be brought on record by way of counter affidavit on the next date.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had asked the Patna High Court to complete the trial of the case within three weeks. With this, his arrest was immediately stopped.

The petitioner has filed two separate petitions in the Patna High Court for anticipatory bail as well as quashing the criminal proceedings against him.

Now, the matter will be heard on 9^th May, 2022.

Case Title: Rajendra Prasad alias Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Former Vice Chancellor, Magadh University Vs The Vigilance Investigation Bureau, State of Bihar

Click Here To Read/Download Order