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Bharat Shah's bail application rejected

Our Correspondent in Bombay

Film financier Bharat Shah's bail application was rejected by the Special Court Judge A P Bhangale on Wednesday.

"Investigations are on and the investigating agencies have reasonable grounds to believe that the accused is a party to the offences charged against him," the judge said.

"The accused is an influential person and he can demoralize the investigating agencies. Also, the voice tape confirms that the accused had indeed spoken to Chhota Shakeel, thus abetting the organized crime syndicate."

"Hence, anticipatory or premature bail cannot be granted in such cases and I reject the bail application," the judge concluded.

The judge also said Bharat Shah can apply for bail once the chargesheet is filed.

So far the police has not filed a chargesheet against Shah, as it is not mandatory to file one under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act. The Act provides that the accused can be kept in custody for 90 days without a chargesheet being filed, which period can be further extended.

Bharat Shah, along with his family members, was present in the court on Wednesday when the order was being passed.

He was represented by a battery of lawyers, including V R Manohar, Shiraz Rahimtoolah, Vibhav Krishnan and Amit Desai.

Full Coverage of the Bharat Shah case

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