Bijnor : Allahabad high court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Delhi-based lawyer Raj Narayan and denied him interim relief in connection with the murder of 82-year-old businessman Anil Kumar Soti.
His nephew Alok Sharma lodged an FIR at Bijnor City police station against Gaurav, property dealers Shailendra Khanna and Sunil Khanna, commission agent Naved and unidentified persons under BNS section 103(1).
Police claimed Anjum Parveen alias Nisha, who worked as Narayan’s clerk, told investigators that the lawyer had received a substantial amount from Gaurav to handle a property dispute. Narayan represents co-accused Gaurav Soti, the deceased’s nephew. Narayan allegedly feared losing him as a client after Gaurav expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in resolving the matter. Considering the allegations and the stage of the probe, it rejected his plea. Narayan has not been arrested. Nisha, Aleemuddin, Subhash and Hina were later arrested and sent to jail.
The court said serious allegations had been levelled against Narayan and material collected during the preliminary investigation provided a reasonable basis for them. The prosecution also accused Narayan of conspiring with the other accused and evading arrest by switching off his cellphone and frequently changing locations. It argued that his custodial interrogation was necessary as the investigation was at a preliminary stage.