On September 4, Special CBI Judge Jyot Kler directed the ED to respond to the bail application. The hearing is scheduled for September 11.
![[Cattle Smuggling Case] 'Not Submitted Complete Charge sheet': Delhi Court Issues Notice to ED on TMC Leader Anubrata Mondal's Bail Plea](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MicrosoftTeams-image-58.png?resize=820%2C820&ssl=1)
New Delhi (India): The Rouse Avenue Court issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the bail plea of Anubrata Mondal, an accused in the cattle smuggling case. Mondal has already been granted bail by the Supreme Court in a related CBI case.
On September 4, Special CBI Judge Jyot Kler directed the ED to respond to the bail application. The hearing is scheduled for September 11.
Advocates Mustafa and Ahmad Ibrahim have filed the bail petition for Mondal. They argue that Mondal has been in custody for nearly two years, having been arrested on November 17, 2022, with no immediate prospect of the trial commencing.
The plea highlights delays caused by the prosecution, which has not provided complete documents and the chargesheet to the accused, hindering the defense’s preparation and arguments. Additionally, with 85 witnesses listed, the trial is expected to be prolonged.
The counsels also noted that, even if charges are framed and arguments on them are heard, the trial will be prolonged due to the presence of 85 witnesses mentioned in the prosecution’s complaints.
READ ALSO: Cattle Smuggling Case | Supreme Court Grants Bail to TMC Leader Anubrata Mondal
The counsels also noted that Mondal, who is 65 years old, suffers from age-related ailments and has recently developed radiculopathy and severe lower limb pain. Due to his claustrophobia and history of panic attacks, he could not undergo an MRI, and his recent chest pain has prevented necessary cardiac procedures. The plea emphasizes Mondal’s need for continuous medical care and assistance.
On August 11, 2022, Mondal was arrested in connection with allegations of smuggling cattle to Bangladesh by bribing Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was tasked with investigating the case, and the Supreme Court had sought a response from the CBI in September of the previous year.
During a hearing in December last year, the Supreme Court instructed the CBI to provide Mondal with a copy of the chargesheet. However, Mondal claimed that the chargesheet he received was in Bengali and not in English, creating a significant hurdle for his defense.
