Rail Neer scam: Official gets bail, no relief for bizman

The court granted bail to MS Chalia, an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount, observing that keeping him in judicial custody would not serve any purpose.

However, Special Judge Vinod Kumar dismissed the bail plea of businessman Sharan Bihari Aggarwal, saying that he was the “direct beneficiary” of the transactions and investigation about the approximately Rs 28-crore cash recovered during searches was going on. 

“It must be kept in mind that the applicant is the direct beneficiary of the transaction in question. Therefore, I am of the opinion that it is not a fit stage to grant bail to the applicant as it has the possibility of hampering the investigation. Accordingly, the bail application is hereby dismissed,” the court said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had opposed Chalia’s bail plea, saying that he had abused his official position as he did not act despite several letters sent by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) that the supply of Rail Neer and other brands of water had caused a loss of Rs 6.25 crore to the railways.

The judge, however, granted him bail saying: “I am of the opinion that keeping him in judicial custody will not serve any purpose. Accordingly, I admit the applicant/accused MS Chalia to bail...” 

Besides these two accused, senior rail officer Sandeep Silas, also an IRTS officer, was also arrested in the case. At present, he is in judicial custody.