[Buses For Ferrying Migrants] Allahabad HC Grants Bail To Priyanka Gandhi's Personal Secretary Sandeep Singh [Read Order]

A bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh allowed Singh's plea after looking at the "triviality" of the offences alleged.

An FIR was lodged against Singh and UP Congress Chief Ajay Kumar Lallu, in the Hazratganj Police station on May 9, on the allegation of providing false information in the list of buses that were sent to ferry migrant workers home.

It was alleged that an attempt was made to seek permission to ferry migrants in faulty vehicles and that the vehicles in the list lacked requisite fitness certificates or/ and valid insurance.

The FIR further alleged that the Congress leaders did not obtain inter-state movement passes, in gross violation of the guidelines issued by the Union Home Ministry.

The Court has allowed Singh's pre-arrest bail plea and has stated that

"In the event of arrest, the applicant shall be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond of Rs.1,00,000/- and two sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of the arresting officer/I.O./S.H.O. concerned."

In his plea, Singh had contended that he is private Secretary of Ms. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and all the letters, alleged to be misleading, were written on her behalf.

"It is Ms. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who on behalf of the Congress Party offered buses for transporting the migrant workers during crisis caused by pandemic COVID-19. The present accused-applicant was only conveying the messages and writing letters on her behalf," the Court recorded his submission.

He, along with Lallu, have been booked under Sections 177 (Furnishing false information), 182 (False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person), 287 (Negligent conduct with respect to machinery), 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), 417 (Cheating), 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 465 (Forgery), 467 (Forgery of a valuable security, will or authority to make or transfer any valuable security, or to receive any money, etc.), 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating), 505 (1) (b) & (2) (Statements conducing to public mischief) read with Section 120B (Criminal Conspiracy) IPC.

Singh was represented by Senior Advocate Vivek Tankha with Advocates Nadeem Murtaza, Shubham Tripathi and Syed Yashab Husain Rizvi. The State by Addl. Government Advocates VK Shahi and Anurag Varma.

In June, the High Court had allowed Lallu's bail plea, observing that given the nature of offences alleged in the present case, a case for grant of bail is made out.

Case Details:

Case Title: Sandeep Singh v. State of UP & Anr.

Case No.: BA No. 3453/2020

Quorum: Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh

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