Dairy director gets bail in graft case

A special court today granted bail to the suspended executive director of state-owned Mahananda Dairy, Shivaji Talekar, arrested by anti-corruption bureau in February on charge of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Judge S P Mahajan granted Talekar bail on a deposit of Rs one lakh and asked him to appear before anti-corruption bureau everyday between 12 noon and 5 pm for one month and thereafter as and when required by the investigating agency.

The anti-corruption cell opposed his bail plea saying Talekar would tamper with witnesses and hamper investigation if released on bail.

Talekar's lawyer, I P Bagaria, argued that the alleged offence committed by his client was based on documents and details of his property was known to the anti-corruption bureau officials.

"The investigating agency has also recorded his statement and hence his further custody is not required," he said.

Besides, the accused has to give explanation regarding assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the court for which custody is not required, he added.

The agency said it had to find out how many properties Talekar owned and whether they were disproportionate to his known sources of income.

According to the bureau, Talekar had several flats in Goregaon, Mira Road and Nalasopara in the suburbs and also a lavish bungalow at Madh island, besides acres of land at Thane and Pune.

Prices of most of the properties was shown way below its value. Even three children of Talekar had taken admission for MBBS on payment seats, anti-corruption bureau alleged.