Under-trials Accused of Economic Offences Not Eligible For Interim Bail As Per High Powered Committee’s Criteria: Delhi HC

Delhi High Court has refused to quash the Minutes of Meeting held on March 28 by the High Powered Committee constituted to decongest the prisons whereby under-trial prisoners accused of economic offences or against whom enquiry is being conducted by the Enforcement Directorate have been excluded from the purview of interim bail. The Single Bench of Justice Anu Malhotra went on to note that such under-trial prisoners, however, have the liberty to move court seeking bail under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code. The order has come in a criminal writ petition moved by Religare Finvest scam accused Malvinder Mohan Singh, seeking quashing of the High Powered Committee’s Minutes of Meeting dated 28/03/20 on the ground that they arbitrarily and unreasonably discriminate against the under-trial prisoners accused of economic offences.