[Anil Deshmukh document leak case] Delhi court grants bail to sub-inspector Abhishek Tiwari

A Delhi Court granted bail to former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer Abhishek Tiwari, accused in the Anil Deshmukh document leak case, observing that he has “roots in the society” [CBI v. Abhishek Tiwari & Ors]..Special CBI Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal said, “A-1 is an ex-CBI official and therefore, has roots in the society. Further, the allegations of the present case does not pertain to economic offences of huge magnitude, therefore, it cannot per se be said to be falling under the category of grave offences.”.The order noted that the other accused persons had an “almost similar” role and were on bail since January 31, 2022.“Therefore, on the grounds of parity, accused Abhishek Tiwari is also entitled to bail,” it added..Tiwari, a sub-inspector with the central agency, along with Deshmukh’s Mumbai-based lawyer Anand Daga, was arrested by the CBI in September 2021 on allegations that they were involved in leaking documents connected to the ongoing probe against the former Maharashtra Home Minister..Daga and VG Tumane, who was handling Deshmukh's social media, were granted bail earlier..“Investigation is complete and no useful purpose shall be served by keeping him in jail. Trial will take long time to commence and the accused meets the 'triple test’,” argued Tiwari’s counsel.The CBI, on the contrary, opposed the bail, saying that Tiwari’s role was different from that of the other accused persons. The prosecutor submitted that completion of the investigation was no ground to release him on bail..The Court, however, granted bail to Tiwari on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with one surety. He was asked to cooperate in the investigation and not to tamper with evidence. He was also directed not to leave the country without the Court's permission.“In case of violation of any of the terms and conditions of the bail mentioned above, the CBI will be at liberty to move an application seeking cancellation of bail,” the Court clarified.Advocate Meenesh Dubey appeared for Tiwari. Public Prosecutor VK Pathak represented the CBI..It was alleged that Tiwari, who had assisted the inquiry officer in the preparation of an inquiry report against Deshmukh, had been in possession of case-sensitive documents and that he had leaked information to Daga for an iPhone 12 Pro as illegal gratification.The CBI claimed that Tiwari shared copies of documents like memorandum of proceedings, sealing-unsealing memorandum, statements, seizure memos etc, related to the investigation of the case with Daga through WhatsApp on many occasions. Thus, Tiwari committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said documents, the agency stated..[Read Order]