AT scam: HC rejects model's bail plea

CUTTACK: The Orissa high court yesterday rejected the bail petition of Mumbai-based model Preeti Bhatia, who was arrested by the CBI for her alleged involvement in Artha Tatwa (AT) group fraud.
Bhatia's lawyer argued her case on the basis of bail granted to BJD legislator Pravat Tripathy and his close aide Ranjan Das, also arrested for the fraud. "The court also observed that in economic offences, where the society at large was affected, the petitioner should not seek relief on the grounds of being a woman," said a counsel.
CBI counsel V Narasingha said the bail could affect the ongoing probe into the money trail in the case.
The Khurda district and sessions court in Bhubaneswar had earlier rejected Bhatia's bail plea. tnn