A court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of three Maharashtra government officials arrested in connection with the missing files related to the scam- tainted Adarsh Housing Society in Mumbai.

Denying relief to the trio, Gurudatt Wajpe, N N Narvekar and Waman Rawool, all employees of urban development department (UDD), the court said the matter was very serious.

"Considering the seriousness of the case, the bail (plea) is rejected," the metropolitan magistrate's court observed.

Wajpe is desk officer, Narvekar is assistant town planner, while Rawool is a clerk in the office of principal secretary (UDD).

The CBI, opposing the bail applications, submitted that investigations were at a crucial stage. If released, the central agency contended, the accused can pressurise their colleagues not to speak about the case (to CBI).

Further, the trio faced threat to their lives, the investigating agency told the court.

However, the defence lawyers argued that the investigations were over and their clients' custody was not required anymore. They also said the CBI should not bother about the threat to the trio's lives.

Earlier, the magistrate sent the trio, arrested on May 5, in jail after rejecting the CBI's demand for one more day's custody.

They are likely to move the sessions court for bail.

According to CBI, the missing papers contained important information about a road adjoining the Adarsh building in Colaba, south Mumbai.