Madan Mitra’s bail plea rejected, custody extended till January 14

The judicial custody of the former Transport Minister Madan Mitra has been extended till January 14 after being produced before the Alipore Court on Thursday.

Outside the court room, Mitra on Thursday asked the reporters to be “tolerant” when they asked whether he will contest in the Assembly election in 2016. He said: “Why you all are so intolerant. Be tolerant and 2016 will give answers to all your questions.” 

He also wished New Year to the people of the state. While greeting the people through the media, he repeatedly wished people especially from Kamarhati from where he was elected as an MLA in 2011 Assembly elections.

He said: “I salute the people of all community. I extend my heartfelt greetings to everyone, specially to the people from Kamarhati. I really want the progress of the state and I expect that the people from Kamarhati to be a part of the progress.”

He was taken to the Alipore Court on Thursday afternoon amidst tight security. His counsels pleaded before the court to grant him bail. The counsel submitted that many people, who were arrested in connection with the scam, had got bail. But Mitra was in the custody for a year and a change of circumstance took place in connection to this. Moreover, CBI's claim of influential tag on Mitra no more stands as he has already resigned from the post of the state transport minister in November. At the same time and there was no allegation that Mitra had tried to influence anybody to invest in the group through chit fund scheme. His counsel also maintained that the health condition of Mitra is not good and thus he should be granted bail. 

Opposing the bail plea, CBI’s counsel submitted that no such change of circumstance has taken place in connection with the case and the investigation may get affected if he gets bail. 

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sougata Roy Chowdhury extended Mitra’s judicial custody till 14 January. Mitra was sent to jail after his bail was rejected when produced before the Calcutta High Court on November 19.

The court also ordered to set up a medical board to review Mitra’s health condition. The team will be comprised of doctors from Bangur Hospital, SSKM Hospital and the hospital in Alipore Central Correctional Home.

Santanu Ghosh, chairman of the Xenitis Group, who was also arrested in connection with the scam was also remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.