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The Rouse Avenue Court today granted bail to GAIL Director ES Ranganathan who was arrested on January 15, 2022 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on allegation of bribery.

Ranganathan was later sent to Judicial Custody on January 22, 2022. His first bail application was dismissed on January 29, 2022.

While granting bail to Ranganathan, the Court noted that he was investigated during Police Custody as well as Judicial Custody.

"The apprehension that he might influence the witnesses is not supported by any actual threat and appears to be the perception of investigating agency. The charge sheet has been filed, though further investigation is going on. The trial of the matter as such cannot start as of now. The accused was arrested on 15.01.2022. He is in custody for 69 days. The IO has not stated that any new allegation has surfaced against the applicant", further noted Special Judge Anuradha Shukla Bhardwaj.

The Court was informed by the counsel for Ranganathan, Advocate Dhruv Gupta that co-accused persons, namely, N. Ramakrishnan Nair, Aditya Bansal, Saurabh Gupta, Pawan Gaur and Rajesh Kumar had all been admitted to bail.

It was further stated that no bribe money had been recovered from the possession of the accused and the allegations against him that he was involved in receiving illegal gratification for rendering favors to some parties by granting them discounts on petro chemical products, were also false.

Furthermore, the single judge bench was told that Ranganathan was a heart patient and type-II diabetic. He also was said to have undergone a cataract surgery of right eye in October 2021 and was under regular medical supervision and in constant need of medicines and medical check ups. 

CBI, on the other hand argued that Ranganathan was indulging in corrupt and illegal activity in conspiracy with the other
accused persons.

".. the role of this accused is different from the role of other accused as he was the public servant and he had pressurized the members of price committee to get the desired discounts on petro chemical products...", the CBI further submitted.

Considering the period of custody and the fact that charge-sheet had been filed and all other accused had been granted bail, the Judge Bhardwaj allowed the second bail application filed under section 439 CrPC.

Ranganathan has been asked to furnish personal bond in the sum of Rs. 2 lacs with one surety in the like amount.

Case Title: CBI v. ES Ranganathan and Ors.