Wooden gavel on wooden table, on background
Ahmedabad: A city sessions court in Ahmedabad denied anticipatory bail to a man accused of facilitating tax evasion of Rs 155 crore through a political party – Swatantra Abhivyakti Party – by collecting donations and returning the money to donors in cash after deducting commission.
Tiwari sought protection from the possible arrest, maintaining innocence. He submitted that he had no criminal antecedents and was residing with his family in Ahmedabad. He also argued that the investigation was nearing completion and cited a Supreme Court ruling in support of his plea.
Rejecting these submissions, additional sessions judge V A Dhadhal observed that the alleged scale of the economic offence and the accused’s role as the party’s president warranted detailed investigation. It noted that the party’s actual political activities and the authenticity of its electoral participation remained questionable. It stated, “A prima facie case is made out against the accused and that the offence is serious in nature. The accused’s presence is necessary for the investigation to enable the police to get to the root of the offence and identify all those involved. Considering these factors, this court finds no ground to exercise its discretionary powers in favour of the accused and grant him anticipatory bail.”