NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to businessman Anwar Dhebar in connection with an alleged illegal commission racket and corruption case tied to the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL).
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued the relief order with strict conditions. Under the terms of the interim bail, Dhebar has been ordered to reside outside Chhattisgarh for the duration of the period and must present himself before the trial court as required. The court also instructed him to formally submit the address of the location where he will be staying.
During the proceedings, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi represented Dhebar, while senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani appeared on behalf of the State of Chhattisgarh.
The apex court's directive follows a decision by the Chhattisgarh High Court on May 13, which had previously turned down Dhebar’s bail application. At the time, the High Court observed that the allegations pointed toward a "deep-rooted and systematic corruption network" operating within the state-run corporation, emphasizing that economic crimes resulting in substantial public losses warrant heightened judicial scrutiny.
Investigators allege that a structured syndicate functioned within the CSMCL, forcing external manpower supply agencies to pay illicit commissions to ensure the approval and payout of their legitimate dues. The funds were then allegedly funneled through intermediaries.
The case was originally registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
