Chhagan Bhujbal had moved the Bombay High Court for bail on medical grounds, saying he has a critical heart ailment. (File photo)
Maharashra politician Chhagan Bhujbal, who was arrested in March in a corruption case, will stay in jail after his request for bail was rejected once again in court today.
Mr Bhujbal, 69, had moved the Bombay High Court for bail on medical grounds, saying that he has a critical heart ailment.
The once-powerful former deputy chief minister has been accused of receiving kickbacks for awarding various government contracts, including that for the Maharashtra Sadan, a state government guest house in Delhi. He was arrested on March 14 after being questioned for 10 hours.
A photograph that showed a dramatic change in Mr Bhujbal's appearance in jail went viral in April. In the photo taken at a Mumbai hospital, one of the state's richest and most powerful politicians appeared to be a shadow of his self.
Mr Bhujbal, in a white beard, was slumped in a wheel chair and appeared to have lost considerable weight.
When he was taken to the Arthur Road jail after his arrest, Mr Bhujbal had no beard and his moustache, trimmed and groomed, was dyed black.
The former minister's lawyer, arguing for his bail, had said that he has diabetes, bronchial asthma and hypertension.
Mr Bhujbal and his Nationalist Congress Party, which lost power in 2014 after two terms, have denied the charges and allege a political conspiracy by the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.