RK Ranbir?s anticipatory bail plea rejected

Imphal, January 05: The Special Court (PC Act) Manipur today rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by former chief minister RK Ranbir in connection with the 1991-1992 rice scandal that rocked the State. RK Ranbir was the then chief minister when the scandal surfaced. Rejecting the anticipatory bail plea, Justice Binoykumar observed that Special PP of the CBI, Bipinchandra Sharma has submitted that investigation of the case is almost complete and a charge sheet is going to be filed against the present petitioner (RK Ranbir) and others after completion of necessary formalities. The judge ruled that under the circumstances there is no reasonable apprehension of the petitioner being arrested in connection with the case pending the completion of the said formalities for submission of the charge sheet. Hence there is no basis for passing an anticipatory bail order in favor of the petitioner, the court ruled and instead advised RK Ranbir to surrender to the court concerned and seek bail as soon as the charge sheet is filed with the court. The court also heard the counsel of the petitioner.