Cash-for-vote scam: Hearing on ex-BJP MPs' bail plea deferred

The hearing on the bail pleas of two former BJP MPs Mahabir Singh Bhagora and Faggan Singh Kulaste, arrested for their alleged involvement in the 2008 cash-for-vote scam, was deferred today to September 29 by a Delhi court.

Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, who was to hear the arguments on the interim bail pleas of the two MPs today, deferred the hearing as their counsel sought more time to prepare the case for argument on merit.

"Court may list it (bail plea) for hearing on a further date as I have to touch the merits of the case," senior advocate Sidhartha Luthra told the court, appearing for the two former MPs.

Luthra wanted the court to list the two former MPs' bail plea for hearing on September 19, which is also the date set for hearing Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh's regular bail plea, but the judge deferred the matter to September 29 saying it would not be possible for her to hear all applications on same day.

"How will I hear so many applications on September 19? It is not humanly possible," the judge said posting the matter to September 29 after both the defence counsel and the public prosecutor agreed to it.

On September 19, when Singh's regular bail plea is slated for hearing, the judicial custody of all the jailed accused in the case too would expire.