Gopal Goyal Kanda opposes bail cancellation pleas in air hostess suicide case

Former Haryana minister Gopal Goyal Kanda, accused of abetting the suicide of a former air hostess, Thursday opposed the pleas of police and the air hostess's brother seeking cancellation of his bail.

Kanda's counsel told the court that the petitions filed by police and the brother were frivolous and it was a personal attack on his liberty following grant of bail to him 18 months after being accused of abetting her suicide. Justice VP Vaish, after going through the affidavit filed by Kanda, posted the matter for May 8 for further hearing. Kanda was present in the court during the day.

Seeking dismissal of the pleas, Kanda in the affidavit said the high court had earlier dropped the charge of sexual exploitation against him and he has not misused the condition of bail. Delhi Police and the brother contended that Kanda was an influential person, and while on bail, will try to tamper with evidence and influence the witnesses. 

Asking the court to cancel the bail, they said the trial court has not taken into consideration all the aspects of the case while granting him bail. The trial court March 4 allowed the bail application of Kanda while observing that he was in judicial custody since August 2012. Kanda and his aide Aruna Chadha are accused of abetting the Aug 4-5, 2012, suicide of the 23-year-old former air hostess who left behind a note accusing the duo of harassing her.

The duo have been charged with abetting suicide, criminal conspiracy, forgery and hacking computers and sending offensive or false messages. The Delhi High Court Feb 10 had granted regular bail to Chadha.