New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to former IAS officer Anil Tuteja in a corruption case linked to the alleged District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund scam in Chhattisgarh.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi granted relief to Tuteja, recording that he has been in custody since April 2024 and that the trial is likely to take considerable time.
Taking note of submissions that as many as 85 witnesses are proposed to be examined, the apex court observed that the conclusion of the trial would take time and that similarly placed co-accused had already been granted bail.
“It is true that there are serious allegations against the petitioner, but that will be the subject matter of the trial. We deem it appropriate to release the petitioner on bail without expressing anything on merits,” the CJI-led Bench observed.
The top court was informed that Tuteja was arrested in the present case on February 23, 2026, but had already been in custody since April 21, 2024, in connection with other cases.
While granting relief, the Supreme Court imposed stringent conditions, directing Tuteja to reside outside Chhattisgarh and furnish details of his place of stay along with a contact number to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the jurisdictional police station within one week of his release.
The bench also directed that he shall appear before the trial court on every date of hearing unless exempted and shall not attempt to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.
During the hearing, the prosecution opposed the grant of bail, contending that Tuteja was a key conspirator in multiple scams, including the DMF scam, and had a history of influencing witnesses and interfering with the investigation.
It also relied on certain WhatsApp communications allegedly indicating attempts to secure favourable outcomes in earlier cases.
However, Tuteja’s counsel argued that similar allegations had been considered earlier and that he had already been granted bail in other cases.
The DMF case pertains to alleged irregularities in the utilisation of funds meant for developmental works in mining-affected areas, including allegations of manipulation of tender processes and illegal commissions.
The Chhattisgarh High Court had rejected Tuteja’s bail plea in April this year, observing that there was prima facie material indicating his involvement in the alleged offences and that, given his influential position, there was a likelihood of tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses.
A single-judge Bench of Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas had opined that economic offences are “committed with cool calculation and deliberate design with an eye on personal profit regardless of the consequence to the community” and therefore require a stricter approach in matters of bail.
The Chhattisgarh High Court observed that prima facie material on record disclosed his involvement in the alleged offences under IPC provisions related to cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, as well as provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
(IANS)
