Land fraud: Middleman’s bail petition rejected

Solan, July 21

The High Court today rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Manish Kumar, a Solan resident, who is an accused in the cheating case involving purchase of one bigha land for BJP office at Shamlech here.

Justice Chander Bhushan Barowalia stated that since the investigation is in its initial stage, a thorough interrogation of the accused, who was the middleman in this deal, is required so as to nab the other accused, if any. Not only was a huge amount of Rs 85 lakh involved in this case but he was hand in glove with the co-accused as he had withheld the information of resale of the land.

Manish Kumar had entered into an agreement with the land seller Dina Nath for sale of one bigah land at Samlech village for Rs 90 lakh out of which Rs 85 lakh had already been paid but Nath later resold this land to another person for Rs 25 lakh in February. It is alleged that he was instrumental in the crime and despite having information about the resale, he withheld it from the party’s district president. When asked to join investigations by the police, he absconded and switched off his mobile phone. The police was, however, yet to arrest him. — TNS