Oxygen concentrator scam: Abhishek Manu Singhvi fails to get interim relief for Navneet Kalra
By Asianet Newsable English | First Published May 14, 2021, 1:52 PM ISTDuring the hearing, the Delhi High Court questioned Kalra as to how he had 105 oxygen concentrators in his possession when the same can only be done with a valid license.
Businessman Navneet Kalra, who is accused of hoarding and black marketing of oxygen concentrators, on Friday failed to secure anticipatory bail from the Delhi High Court which adjourned the hearing till May 18 without granting him interim relief.
Justice Subramonium Prasad rejected Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi's appeal for interim protection and upheld the lower court order.
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The court noted that the investigation was at a nascent stage.
During the hearing, the Delhi High Court questioned Kalra as to how he had 105 oxygen concentrators in his possession when the same can only be done with a valid license.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju had contended that some of the devices that were sent to a lab for testing had revealed that the oxygen concentrators were of sub-standard quality and that instead of producing 90-95% oxygen from the atmosphere, Kalra's imported devices only produced an abysmal 30-35%.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, meanwhile, claimed that without a government order capping the price of oxygen concentrators, his client could not be accused of violating the Essential Commodities Act.
Kalra had moved the Delhi High Court after Additional Sessions Court refused to grant him anticipatory bail on the ground that his custodial investigation was required.
The police accused Kalra and other co-accused of hatching a conspiracy to wrongfully make money by inducing the people to buy oxygen concentrators at an exorbitant rate' amid the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
Kalra allegedly convinced his customers that he was selling them premium-grade concentrators made in Germany when, in fact, he was importing cheaper devices from China.
Kalra has been absconding ever since the Delhi Police raided his properties last week, including the Khan Chacha restaurant in Khan Market.
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