Bail in economic offences turns on gravity, investigation stage, and risk of interference with evidence or absconding.

Regular bail in alleged economic offences was assessed by reference to the gravity of the allegations, the stage of investigation, the accused's non-cooperation, and the risk of tampering with evidence or absconding. The material before the court showed a white-collar offence involving public money, with co-accused persons absconding and further investigation still pending. Those factors were treated as weighing against release, because in economic offences the nature and magnitude of the alleged misconduct and the public interest involved are relevant safeguards in bail consideration. Bail was declined as no ground for release was made out.

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Issues: Whether regular bail should be granted in a case involving alleged economic offences, having regard to the gravity of the allegations, the stage of investigation, the accused's alleged non-cooperation, and the possibility of tampering with evidence or absconding.

Analysis: The allegations disclosed a white-collar/economic offence involving a very large amount of public money. The record indicated that the accused had not cooperated with the investigation, co-accused persons were absconding, and further investigation had been directed by the trial court. The nature and magnitude of the alleged offence, the seriousness of the accusations, the amount allegedly misappropriated, and the public interest involved were treated as material considerations against release on bail. The judicial approach to bail in economic offences required due regard to the gravity of the offence and the attendant risk of interference with the investigation.

Conclusion: Bail was declined because no ground for release was made out.

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