Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court today rejected Mumbai-based model Preeti Bhatia’s bail application who was arrested in October last for her alleged role in the multi-crore chit fund scam in the State.
Adjudicating the case, the apex court also asked the CBI, which is probing the scam, to submit a status report on progress of the investigation by October 5.
She had filed an appeal before the apex court challenging the order of Orissa High Court, which had turned down her bail petition on March 16. The court had observed that since there is prima facie evidence on her involvement in the scam and continuance of investigation may unearth more links, bail could not be given.
The HC had also pointed out that there was money trailing to the tune of Rs 1,17,83,000 from Artha Tatwa group accounts to the petitioner’s accounts and she had given a substantial chunk of it to her sister as well as brother-in-law.
The contention that the money was utilised by Preeti’s Prism Heights Films and Entertainment towards payment to artistes, directors, cameramen and staff was also not proven with documentary evidence.
The court had ordered that a notice shall be issued to the respondents in the case subject to the petitioner depositing Rs 1,17,83,000 before the trial court. Following the order, Bhatia had deposited the amount in May last for hearing of her bail petition.