Espionage Case: Delhi High Court Grants Bail To Freelance Journalist Rajeev Sharma

The Delhi High Court on Friday granted bail to freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma in connection with a case alleging that he supplied confidential information to Chinese Officials, in exchange of remuneration.

Enforcement Directorate had initiated investigation on the basis of an FIR filed against Sharma under the provisions of IPC and Official Secrets Act.

Justice Mukta Gupta pronounced the order today after reserving the judgment on December 21, 2021.

During the previous course of hearings, Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur appearing for Sharma had submitted that the bail application pertained to a case of PMLA wherein Sharma, being a journalist associated with an organization namely South Asia Monitor relating to news reporting business, was arrested in an Official Secret Act case.

He had also informed the Court that he was granted default bail in that case. Mathur had also submitted that Sharma had joined the investigation after an ECIR was registered against him. 

Thereafter, Enforcement Directorate had moved an application before seeking in camera proceedings in the matter.

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 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.

Sharma had moved the High Court following dismissal of bail plea by the Sessions Court. 

Case Title: Rajeev Sharma v. Enforcement Directorate

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Del) 83

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