New Delhi: In a significant development in the alleged ₹3 crore bribery case linked to a fake drug manufacturing racket, a Delhi court on Thursday rejected the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) request for further custodial interrogation of 2012-batch Haryana cadre IPS officer Deepak Gahlawat and instead remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody.
Gahlawat, who is currently serving on central deputation with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), was produced before Special Judge Sushant Changotra after completing one day of CBI custody.
The investigating agency had sought an extension of his custodial interrogation, arguing that further questioning was necessary to uncover the larger conspiracy, identify the source of the alleged bribe money, trace its beneficiaries and confront the IPS officer with other accused persons.
CBI Says Officer Gave Evasive Replies
During the hearing, the CBI submitted that Gahlawat had remained evasive during interrogation and had allegedly misled investigators by giving contradictory responses and failing to explain several financial transactions.
The prosecution argued that the investigation was still at a preliminary stage and that custodial interrogation was essential to piece together the larger conspiracy behind the alleged bribery network.
Court Questions CBI’s Evidence
The court, however, repeatedly questioned the CBI regarding the documentary evidence supporting its claims.
Special Judge Changotra referred to the alleged conspiratorial meeting held on May 14 between Gahlawat and co-accused persons, including businessman N. Raja, and sought details of financial transactions that allegedly took place after that meeting.
The judge asked the prosecution whether there was any documentary evidence showing financial transactions after the alleged conspiracy meeting.
When informed about the investigation, the court observed that no such transaction records had been placed before it.
The judge further questioned the prosecution over its claim that Gahlawat had given contradictory and evasive replies during interrogation, asking the CBI to explain specifically how those replies were contradictory.
The court also directed the prosecution to produce relevant financial documents instead of relying on broad allegations.
At one stage, the judge remarked that if the prosecution was relying upon documents that did not exist on record, it raised questions about the manner in which the investigation was being presented before the court.
Court Rejects Further Police Custody
Despite the CBI reiterating that the accused needed to be confronted with co-accused and additional evidence, the court observed that it had already extensively dealt with the issue during the previous hearing.
The judge noted that the prosecution had failed to satisfactorily justify the need for further police custody and remarked that criminal investigations could not become a “never-ending process.”
After reserving the order briefly, the court rejected the CBI’s application seeking further police custody and directed that Gahlawat be sent to 14 days of judicial custody.
One-Day CBI Custody Granted Earlier
On Wednesday, the same court had granted the CBI only one day’s custodial interrogation, despite the agency seeking five days of police custody.
During that hearing as well, the court had raised several questions regarding the investigation and had expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the investigating officer while examining the agency’s submissions.
Background of the Case
The case originates from an FIR registered by the CBI on June 8 against Delhi Police Crime Branch Inspector Pradeep Singh, alleged middleman Rajkumar, businessman N. Raja, and others.
The investigation is linked to an alleged ₹5,000 crore fake drug manufacturing racket, in which Raja is the prime accused.
According to the CBI, a conspiracy was allegedly hatched to influence the investigation into the fake medicine case in exchange for a ₹3 crore bribe.
The agency alleges that part of the money was routed through hawala channels and intermediaries, with the accused claiming they could influence the ongoing CBI investigation and secure relief for the main accused.
Earlier Arrests in the Case
Last month, the CBI arrested Inspector Pradeep Singh, alleged middleman Rajkumar, and five other accused during a trap operation.
During the operation, investigators recovered ₹25 lakh as trap money, besides seizing another ₹90 lakh in cash along with several incriminating documents.
The investigation into the alleged bribery network and the fake drug manufacturing racket is continuing.
