SC denies bail to Chhattisgarh bizman Anwar Dhebar in liquor case

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the bail plea of businessman Anwar Dhebar in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam case, observing the charges against him to be "serious".

The allegations are very serious. You have a distinct role to play in this case," a bench of justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said, dismissing Dhebar's plea after hearing the state government which alleged that Dhebar was the "lynchpin" in the entire syndicate linked to the excise case. It also alleged that Dhebar had a role in fixing tender conditions and determining market share.

Monday's order comes as a huge setback to Dhebar who had been granted bail by a different bench of the top court in May this year in a related money laundering case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Dhebar, referred to the May 19 order granting him bail. "For 540 days, I am in jail and there is no possibility of the trial concluding soon. The investigation of the case is still on and there are 41 accused, 700 witnesses in a matter where the state has already filed five charge sheets