Bombay HC reserves order on Bijlani`s bail in Loharia murder case

The Bombay High Court today reserved its order on the bail plea of real estate developer Suresh Bijlani, arrested in connection with the murder of another builder, Sunil Loharia.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday reserved its order on the bail plea of real estate developer Suresh Bijlani, arrested in connection with the murder of another builder, Sunil Loharia.

Arguments concluded before Justice ML Tahiliyani, who reserved order on the bail petition filed by Bijlani. Bijlani, a builder from Navi Mumbai, pleaded that he was not involved in the crime and that he was being "framed". His lawyer N Gavankar argued that Bijlani had no role to play in the conspiracy and he was also not present at the place where Loharia was gunned down by assailants. Last month, Bijlani had sought interim bail from the court on the ground that his father had to undergo a surgery for mouth cancer and he needed to arrange money for the same. However, the court said it was not inclined to grant him temporary bail and hence he did not press for it. Bijlani has now moved the high court seeking a permanent bail. Loharia was shot dead outside his Navi Mumbai office on February 16. Police have arrested nine persons, including two alleged shooters Venkatesh Shettiar and Wajid Qureshi, former `encounter specialist` Emmanuel Amolik and Bijlani. Three accused are absconding. After Loharia`s murder, Bijlani had sought bail from the Madhya Pradesh High Court. However, the state filed an appeal in the Supreme Court which asked him to surrender. As per the apex court order, he gave himself up to the police and is now in custody.