In a recent development, the Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking a response on the third bail petition filed by Saumya Chaurasia, former secretary to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant issued the notice following a hearing on the bail application.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for 20 September.
Saumya Chaurasia faces incarceration over her alleged involvement in the ₹500 crore coal levy scam in Chhattisgarh.
The Chhattisgarh High Court recently dismissed her third bail petition.
Earlier, during an April hearing, the ED informed the High Court that they had arrested Chaurasia due to her alleged involvement in the scam.
Authorities have held her at the Raipur Central Jail since December 2022.
Previously, Chaurasia had approached the Supreme Court for bail, but her request was rejected.
The Supreme Court had also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on her for presenting false facts.
During the bail hearing, Chaurasia’s lawyer argued that the prosecution had not built a substantial case against her.
The defense further contended that Chaurasia is a woman with two children and that the proceedings could take an extended period, thus warranting bail.
The ED’s raids related to the coal scam and money laundering cases had resulted in the recovery of several important documents and the seizure of assets worth crores from Chaurasia’s premises.
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