Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail To ED Officer Ankit Tiwari Arrested Tamil Nadu Police

The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice KV Viswanathan observed “Meanwhile the Petitioner is directed to be released on interim bail subject to his producing bail bonds to the Learned CJM Dindigul…”, The Court observed.

The Additional Advocate General Amit Anand Tiwari for the State submitted, “Some conditions may be imposed on him. There are three conditions which I would definitely like to be placed on him.”

The Court, consequently, observed, “In addition to the conditions as may be imposed by the Court concerned, we deem it appropriate to direct that the Petitioner shall not directly or indirectly contact or influence the witnesses. He shall not make any attempt to tamper the evidence in any manner…He shall not leave the State of Tamil Nadu without prior permission of this Court. He shall deposit his passport, if any.”

A Petition was filed before the Supreme Court challenging the order passed by the Madras High Court rejecting his bail application. The Supreme Court on a previous date of hearing issued notice to the Respondents and observed, “Meanwhile, we request the Madurai Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Madras to decide the application for default bail moved by the petitioner on merits notwithstanding the stay on investigation is ordered by this Court vide order dated 25.01.2024.”

The Complainant alleged that the Accused had demanded a sum of Rs.3 Crore as a bribe to close the case pending against him and later reduced it to Rs.51,00,000/-. Thereafter, the Complainant gave him a sum of Rs.20,00,000/- which the Complainant recorded in his car's dashboard camera.

The Court also granted two weeks time to file the counter affidavit.

The High Court while rejecting the bail of the Accused said, “So far as the present fact of the case is concerned it is not disputed that alleged bribe amount of Rs.20,00,000/- has been seized from the TATA Altroz Car of the petitioner bearing Reg.No. MP 04 EA 1876 on 01.11.2023 at Dindigul- Madurai highways by the respondent police. Phenolphthalein test was also conducted and it is proved positive. The accused also gave statement. Further, the arguments of the learned State Public Prosecutor that they are suspecting the involvement of some other higher officials in this case has to be investigated cannot be ignored. Thus in totality of the circumstances of the case the reasons for declining bail raised on behalf of the State are convincing. Further investigation would be hampered if the bail is allowed. Hence this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.”

Cause Title: Ankit Tiwari v. The Inspector of Police (SLP (Crl) No. 3342 and 3343/2024)