Tripura 'Wanted' Former Minister Badal Choudhury's Bail Plea Rejected in PWD Case

Agartala, October 17, 2019:

District and Sessions Court on Wednesday night rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury, the ‘wanted’ accused in a PWD irregularity case.

The District and Session Judge Sabyasachi Dutta Purukayastha had conducted a hearing on the minister’s bail plea in a case of his alleged involvement in the PWD irregularity case investigated by the Vigilance Organization. However, his plea was rejected.

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The order paved way for the arrest of one of CPI(M)’s powerful leaders. It may be mentioned here that the former Minister was absconding, due to which, Tripura Police had raided the office of CPI(M).

A team, led by Tripura DGP Akhil Kumar Shukla, began a slew of search operations at MLA Hostel, newspaper offices, and several CPI(M) offices across the state. However, they were unable to find the absconding Minister.

On the other hand, seven-time MLA, Badal Chowdhury’s lawyers informed that the 'wanted' minister is all set to move an anticipatory bail petition before High Court tomorrow.

On Thursday morning Police detained former CPIM MP Narayan Kar and two personal guards of Badal Choudhury and interrogated them at the West Agartala police station.

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It may be mentioned here that former Chief Engineer Sunil Bhowmik has already been booked in connection with the case while former Principal Secretary YP Singh, who has an FIR named against him, could not be arrested yet.

The vigilance department had lodged an FIR against Badal Choudhury, Sunil Bhowmik and Yash Pal Singh. According to the FIR, over Rs. 200 crore was misappropriated due to cost escalation while awarding as many as 13 constructions works to the tune of 800 crore.

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