Espionage Case- "Money Trail Yet To Be Traced": Delhi Court Denies Bail To Freelance Journalist Rajeev Sharma

A Delhi Court on Saturday denied bail to freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma in connection with a case alleging that he supplied confidential information to Chinese Officials, in exchange of remuneration.

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana rejected the bail plea after observing thus:

"The investigation is at a crucial juncture as the complete money trail is yet to be traced and releasing the applicant/accused on bail at this stage would not be salubrious to the cause of justice, as the applicant/accused would definitely attempt to  wipe off the foot prints and cover up the traces. Considering the totality of circumstances, I do not find any merits in the application at hand and the same is accordingly dismissed."

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana pronounced the order after hearing Advocates Amish Aggarwala, Aditya Singh Jakha and Karan Ahuja appearing on behalf of Rajeev Sharma and Enforcement Directorate. 

Earlier this week, the Court had sent Sharma to 14 days judicial remand on the expiry of his ED custody.

ED had initiated investigation on the basis of an FIR filed against Rajeev Sharma under the provisions of IPC, Official Secrets Act.

It was the case of ED that Sharma had supplied confidential information to Chinese Officials in return of some remuneration thereby comprising the security and national interest of the Country.

It was however submitted Sharma's case that the ED is mischievously carrying out the instant parallel proceedings pursuant to the investigation carried out by the Special Cell in order to harass him. It was also submitted that he can explain each and every minute detail of the payments received by him and that he was absolutely innocent.

The Court had earlier sent Sharma to 7 days Enforcement Directorate's custody on July 3 after observing that the custodial interrogation was necessary owing to the intricate nature of investigation.

According to a press release issued by the ED, it has been stated thus:

"During the investigation, it was revealed that Rajeev Sharma had supplied confidential and sensitive information to Chinese Intelligence officers, in exchange for remuneration thereby compromising the security and national interests of India. It was further revealed that cash for remuneration of Rajeev Sharma and other unknown persons was being generated through hawala means by Mahipalpur based shell companies that were run by Chinese nationals namely Zhang ChengSuraj, Zhang Lixia @ Usha and Quing Shi along with a Nepali national Sher Singh Raj Bohara."

"Apart from cash, huge transactions were made with various Chinese companies and some other trading companies in India which are being examined. These Chinese companies were acting as a conduit for the Chinese Intelligence agencies to provide remuneration for persons like Rajeev Sharma indulged in criminal activities. Rajeev Sharma also received money through benami bank accounts in order to conceal his involvement in criminal activities."

Title: Directorate of Enforcement v. Rajeev Sharma

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