TV actor denied anticipatory bail in graft case

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday denied anticipatory bail to TV actor Anuj Saxena in a graft case in which Director General of Corporate Affairs B K Bansal was arrested, saying the allegations against the actor were serious requiring his custodial interrogation. Special CBI Judge Gurdeep Singh denied relief to Saxena, also Chief Operating Officer of Elder Pharmaceuticals, after going through the phone calls details which allegedly suggested that on Saxena's instruction, the bribe was paid to Bansal, who was granted interim bail after his wife and daughter committed suicide. According to the CBI, the accused had played a direct role in bribing Bansal to ensure that he does not order an SFIO inspection against his firm on charges of illegal collection of Rs 175 crore from 24,000 investors, diversion of funds to companies abroad and not giving returns on time. Saxena, known for roles in soaps "Kkusum" and "Kumkum", had sought the relief saying that he did not have any direct link with the case and there was only a disclosure statement of a co-accused. Public prosecutor K P Singh, however, had opposed the plea alleging that the accused had played an active role in commission of the offence and had submitted recordings of the phone conversations of the accused persons. According to CBI, an FIR was registered against Saxena alleging that his company Elder Pharmaceuticals had bribed Bansal to ensure that he does not order an SFIO inspection on charges against him. Saxena, who is COO and Chairman-cum Managing Director of the firm, has not been arrested by CBI which has taken into custody Bansal, middleman Vishwadeep Bansal and two more private persons. Bansal is at present out on interim bail granted by the court till August 22 following the alleged suicide by his wife and daughter after his arrest.