Chhattisgarh HC grants Anticipatory Bail to Employees of Union Bank allegedly involved in Money Laundering by opening Bank Accounts without following procedure [Read Order]

The Chhattisgarh High Court has granted the grants Anticipatory Bail to Employees of Union Bank allegedly involved in Money Laundering by opening Bank Accounts without following procedure.

The applicants, Anoop Kumar Das, C Adinarayana and Rajesh Agrawal are employees of Union Bank of India, Raipur posted at Ramsagarpara and Pandri Branches. The allegations against them are that they, being officials, got the 446 bank accounts (in both branches) opened without properly following procedure prescribed and without verifying documents annexed along with account opening application forms. Allegation against applicants is that they verified application forms for opening of bank accounts. 

Mr. Pramod Kumar Verma, learned Senior Counsel for applicant submitted in rebuttal that under first provision to Section 45 (1) of PMLA, 2002 certain relaxations have been made for considering application for grant of anticipatory bail for certain category of persons involved in offence under PMLA, 2002. Applicants are senior citizens and infirm. Applicants No.1 to 3 are retired bank officials, whereas applicant No.4 is at the verge of retirement. Looking at the nature of accusation, application may be considered in favour of applicants.

The single bench of Justice Parth Prateem Sahu while allowing the anticipatory bail application, directed that in the event of arrest of applicants in connection with crime in question, they shall be released on anticipatory bail by the Officer arresting them on their executing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- each with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of Arresting Officer. Applicants shall also abide by various conditions.

Firstly, they shall make themselves available for interrogation before the Investigating Officer as and when required.

Secondly, they shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/her from disclosing such facts to Court or to any police officer.

Thirdly, they shall not act, in any manner, which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial.

Lastly, they shall appear before trial Court on each and every date given to them by said Court till disposal of trial.

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