Trial Judge Bribery Case: Punjab & Haryana High Court Allows Realtor Roop Bansal To Withdraw Quashing Plea; Slaps ₹1 Lakh Cost
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has permitted real estate developer Roop Bansal to withdraw his petition challenging the FIR lodged against him for conspiring to bribe a Trial Court judge.
Bansal is booked under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and for criminal conspiracy under Section 120B IPC.
His first plea for quashing of FIR was was withdrawn in February to file it afresh, with better particulars. The second quashing plea was then filed in April. However, Bansal again approached the Court to withdraw it.
This second plea for withdrawal was listed before two judges and was subsequently placed before the CJ over allegations of bench hunting by the realtor. The CJ eventually recused, followed by recusal of two more judges and the matter was finally listed before Justice Aman Chaudhary on Thursday.
"Having heard parties on either side and learned counsel for the respondents-ED as well as State being not able to offer much resistance, in view of the statement made on his own volition by the learned counsel for the applicant-petitioner, that no further challenge shall be made to the FIR in question and costs of Rs. 1 lac shall also be paid, the application is accepted," said the bench.
Consequently, the main case is ordered to be dismissed as withdrawn, subject to deposit of costs by Bansal with Haryana State Legal Services Authority within a period of one week, receipt whereof be submitted with the Registry, added the judge.
Title: Roop Bansal v. State of Haryana & Ors.
Mr. Avishkar Singhvi and Mr. Rajat Joneja, Advocates, (through VC)
Mr. Baljeet Beniwal, Advocate for the applicant/petitioner.
Mr. Gautam Kaile, DAG, Haryana.
Mr. Zoheb Hossain, Special Counsel with Mr. Lokesh Narang, Senior Panel Counsel, for respondent-ED (through VC)