Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Amar Singh, who is undergoing treatment at AIIMS, was on Monday granted bail in the 2008 cash-for-vote scam by the Delhi high court on"humanitarian grounds" in view of his "critical" condition.
"Keeping in view the critical health condition of the petitioner (Singh) as he has been continuously in the hospital since October 12 till date, on humanitarian grounds I deem it fit to admit the petitioner on bail," Justice Suresh Kait said in his 33-page order.
Initially, the court asked Singh to furnish a personal bond and two sureties of Rs one crore each as a pre-condition for his release on bail, but later it halved the amount after Singh's lawyers said they were "too high" and would be difficult for the accused to arrange.
Imposing a slew of conditions including that Singh, 55, will not leave the country without prior permission of the lower court, Justice Kait referred to his medical reports and said the jail was not a proper place for him.
"Keeping medical reports in view, it seems to me that the health condition of the petitioner is very critical. Even doctors have advised him not to go in a crowded area and remain in a very hygienic conditions to avoid infection. Obviously, jail is not such a place where conditions as required could be made available," the court said.
Singh, arrested on September 6, will have to furnish particulars of his stay offshore if he goes out of the country, Justice Kait said.
The court also referred to the concession made by Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran on behalf of the police that "all was not well" with Singh, who has been hospitalised for multiple problems including kidney ailments.
Elaborating on the bail conditions, Justice Kait said, "The petitioner shall not influence any of the witnesses or tamper with evidence and remain present as and when called by the trial court".
"Needless to state, if any of the above conditions are breached, the investigating authority may take steps to get his bail cancelled," he said.
The court passed the order on an appeal filed by Singh challenging the lower court's rejection of his bail plea.
The lower court had granted interim bail to Singh on September 15 on health grounds. On September 28, the judge ordered his re-arrest while dismissing his regular and interim bail pleas.
Singh has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC in the cash-for-vote case.
Besides Singh, Sudheendra Kulkarni, former aide of BJP leader L K Advani, former BJP Members of Parliament Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahabir Singh Bhagora and co-accused Suhail Hindustani and Sanjeev Saxena are in jail in connection with the case.
Singh was taken to AIIMS on September 12 after a bout of vomiting and diarrhea.
