New Delhi [India], February 26 (HBTV): In the anticipatory bail case of Chhattisgarh's former Advocate General SC Verma, the Supreme Court was assured by the state's legal counsel that, as per their instructions, no coercive action would be taken against the petitioner until the next hearing concerning his alleged involvement in the Nagarik Apurti Nigam (NAN) scam.

After hearing the submissions, a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice. The matter is scheduled to be heard by the Court on February 2.

Verma is accused of exploiting his constitutional position to influence case outcomes in favor of high-ranking state officials.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Verma, argued that the petitioner is entitled to anticipatory bail, as he has been implicated solely on the basis of WhatsApp chats. 'Since he was the Advocate General, he has been made an accused based on certain WhatsApp chats he had with co-accused in the NAN case,' Rohatgi contended.

The plea for anticipatory bail was opposed by the state, represented by Deputy Advocate General Ravi Sharma and Standing Counsel Apoorv Shukla.

Advocate Sharma asserted that a simple reading of the WhatsApp chats revealed the seriousness of the offence and pointed to the 'unpardonable' conduct and misuse of the Advocate General's office by the petitioner.

The allegations include charges of influencing the judicial system. However, the state emphasized that Verma had not been arrested thus far, which they argued demonstrated their fairness and refuted any claims of persecution.

The state’s counsel further submitted that the WhatsApp chats would convince the court of the gravity of the offence. They assured the court that, despite the dismissal of Verma's anticipatory bail application by two lower courts, he would not be arrested until the chats were placed before the court. The state intends to file these within the next three days.

On February 13, the Chhattisgarh High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former Advocate General Satish Chandra Verma concerning his alleged involvement in the Nagarik Apurti Nigam (NAN) scam.

(ANI)