Gurgaon: The former SHO of Kherki Daula police station, accused of extorting Rs 55 lakh from a Delhi-based businessman, was granted bail by a city court on Tuesday. The vigilance bureau has arrested three policemen, including former SHO inspector Vishal Kumar and one civilian, in connection with the case till now. Only Kumar has managed to get bail, while the rest are still in prison.
Vishal had surrendered before the Gurgaon court in January. In its chargesheet filed on March 26, the vigilance bureau stated Vishal was the mastermind behind the crime.
S S Chouhan, the counsel for Vishal, said they argued that his client surrendered before the court and then remained in police remand for seven days, but the bureau has not been able to bring anything to establish the former SHO’s role in the case till now. “There is no direct evidence against Vishal,” said Chouhan, adding that they sought bail on this basis.
Considering all arguments, additional session judge AK Mehta granted bail on Tuesday.
Advocate Mayank Raghav said four people have been arrested in the case by the vigilance bureau so far. “Only Vishal has got bail. The farmhouse owner, whose property was used to keep businessmen captive, is still in jail along with the two other cops,” said Raghav.
The bureau, in its chargesheet, has made its case against the cops on the basis of technical evidence like call details, toll receipts and CCTV footage to establish the role of the former SHO and other cops in kidnapping and extortion.
The former SHO, along with other policemen, are accused of kidnapping businessman and call centre owner Naveen Bhutani, setting him free only after he handed over Rs 55 lakh in cash.