Gurgaon: A special court on Monday rejected the bail of Punjab industries minister, who was arrested by the ED in May for a GST billing and money laundering racket worth Rs 100 crore.While rejecting the application, the court said the accused had already attempted to influence one witness by paying him Rs 35,000 and asking him to retract his statement, and is likely to do so again if he is not in custody.After his arrest, the minister’s counsel had said the ED had found no incriminating evidence that linked him to the case but was still incarcerated for over a month. He also alleged the FIR was registered with “malafide intentions” mainly due to political reasons.However, ED argued that Arora was arrested according to the law and the investigating agency has the right to seek remand for the purpose of investigation up to 40 days from the date of arrest. It also said granting Arora bail would hamper the investigation. “It is now on record that the petitioner tried to tamper with the evidence as has been disclosed by one of the witnesses and in case of grant of bail at this stage, the petitioner may influence the other witnesses,” special public prosecutor Simon Benjamin said.The case pertains to alleged fake GST bills generated through shell companies involved in phone trading, with suspected laundering of over Rs 100 crore. ED has alleged that firms linked to Arora carried out suspicious transactions through bogus entities in Delhi.Judge Narendra Sura, in the order, said he is well acquainted with the persons having knowledge of the company/firm’s affairs, alleged dealings and transactions, which would help him with his attempts of witness tampering.“This court is of the view that petitioner does not deserve concession of regular bail at this stage,” it observed.
