Strongly opposing the bail plea of suspended Tamil Nadu Inspector General of Police Pramod Kumar, arrested last month for allegedly accepting graft to protect directors of a private finance firm,CBI said his release would hamper investigation in the case which was at a crucial stage.
"If the petitioner is enlarged on bail at this crucial stage, he is likely to intimidate witnesses and also tamper with the documents," CBI said in a counter, in response to the bail application moved by Kumar in Madras High Court.
The officer 'exercises considerable influence among the other police officers and private persons/middlemen who are either accused or witness in this case', the agency said.
Charging the IGP with conducting himself in a manner which showed gross contempt to procedures in the police department, CBI alleged Kumar's actions were also tantamount to contempt of the High Court orders in October 2009.
CBI said investigation has revealed Kumar's involvement while he was IGP, West Zone, Coimbatore, having jurisdiction over Tirupur police, where the main case is against Paazee Forex Trading Company for cheating its depositors.
During this period,Kumar allegedly demanded Rs 10 crore from the firm's directors with a promise they need not repay depositors or delay repayment in violation of Court orders.
The CBI said Kumar, abusing his position, had accepted Rs 2.85 crore as bribe on various dates between Dec 2009 and Feb 2010 from the directors through various persons including subordinate police officers.
Besides, a woman director had also lodged a complaint that she was kidnapped by some persons on De 8, 2009 and Rs three crore ransom was allegedly extorted by some police officers from her and other directors, CBI said.
The counter said Kumar's city house was searched on Mar 12 last and documents seized were under scrutiny. Besides, it was necessary to carry out investigations in Delhi and other states, CBI said.
The agency pointed out that the Special Judge for CBI cases had dismissed his bail application on May 11 last after considering the facts on record and sought dismissal of the bail application by the High Court.