CUTTACK: Enforcement Directorate Deputy Director Chintan Raghuvanshi, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on bribery charges, was released from Jharapada Jail in Bhubaneswar on Friday after being granted bail by the Orissa High Court. His associate, Bhakti Binod Behera, who was also arrested in the same case, was granted bail on the same day.
Justice Gourishankar Satapathy allowed the bail pleas through a common order, citing that the investigation had progressed and the trial was not expected to begin soon. The court emphasised that “bail is the rule and jail is the exception,” imposing strict conditions for release.
₹2 Crore Bribe Allegation and CBI Action
Raghuvanshi, a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, and Behera were arrested from separate locations in Bhubaneswar after CBI officials recovered ₹20 lakh from Behera’s vehicle. According to the CBI, the initial bribe demand was ₹5 crore, which was later negotiated to ₹2 crore. The ₹20 lakh recovered was allegedly a part of the first instalment.
The bribe was reportedly solicited from a Bhubaneswar-based mining businessman in exchange for assurances that the ED would not arrest him or attach his property in 12 pending cases of financial irregularities.
Raghuvanshi had earlier been granted interim bail for 10 days to attend to his ailing wife and newborn child. After the interim period, he had returned to custody, pending the court’s decision on his full bail application.
Bail Conditions and Legal Representation
The High Court set bail at ₹1 lakh each with two solvent sureties of the same amount for both Raghuvanshi and Behera. Additional conditions include mandatory attendance during court proceedings, prohibition on leaving the country without court permission, and surrender of passports. They must also provide a verifiable residence address and are barred from committing any further offence while out on bail.
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The legal team representing Raghuvanshi included senior advocates Ashok Kumar Parija, Soura Chandra Mohapatra, and Lalitendu Mishra, who confirmed the release after submission of documents from the High Court and trial court.
The CBI’s investigation into the case continues.