Paul in jail custody

TT, Bhubaneswar, Jan. 6: Trinamul Congress MP Tapas Paul, arrested by the CBI in connection with the Rose Valley probe, was today remanded in judicial custody in Jharapada jail for 14 days.

Paul was today produced in the court of the special chief judicial magistrate, CBI, after the conclusion of his six-day remand period.

He had been arrested on December 30.

The court today reserved the verdict on his bail plea.

During the hearing, the prosecution counsel opposed his bail, arguing that as an influential person Paul could sway the investigation process by tampering evidence.

Paul's lawyer cited his poor health while praying for bail.

"Paul was an office-bearer of the Rose Valley Group for around five-and-a-half months in 2010 before resigning from his post. The resignation was accepted by the company. If according to the CBI's claim, the company used his political clout to run it, how could it accept his resignation," said defence counsel Sabyasachi Banerjee.

The counsel said Paul had never delivered any public speech either to attract any investment for the company or to attract any investor. "The blood pressure of Paul fluctuated last night and the CBI is well aware of that. My client is ready to surrender his passport and stay in Odisha to cooperate with the CBI," Banerjee said.