The Supreme Court of India has extended the interim bail granted to former Delhi Minister Satyendra Jain on medical grounds in a money laundering case. The decision was rendered on Monday (September 25) and was made by a bench comprising Justice AS Bopanna and Bela M Trivedi, who have listed the matter for further hearing on October 9.
Jain, who underwent surgery on July 21, has been granted interim bail repeatedly due to his ongoing medical treatment. Initially, on May 26, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail for six weeks in the money laundering case, subject to various conditions.
These conditions included restrictions on interacting with the media and leaving Delhi without prior permission.
Additionally, Jain was given the freedom to choose any hospital for his medical treatment. The top court had made it clear that interim bail is considered in medical conditions.
Jain had approached the Supreme Court seeking bail in the money laundering cases after the Delhi High Court dismissed his earlier plea. His lawyer argued before the apex court that his health had severely deteriorated, resulting in a loss of 35 kilograms of weight, rendering him a mere skeleton.
The Delhi High Court had rejected Jain's initial bail application on April 6, citing concerns about his potential influence and the possibility of tampering with evidence. The High Court also noted that he could not meet the conditions set by the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at this stage.
The court had reserved its order on March 21 after multiple hearings that included arguments from both the defense and prosecution.
During the proceedings in the High Court, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, had strongly contended that money laundering allegations against Jain and other co-accused were crystal clear.
In his bail plea, Jain had stated, "I appeared before ED on 7 occasions. I have cooperated and participated in the investigation. I was arrested 5 years down the line in 2022."
Satyendra Jain's legal battles began after his arrest on May 30, 2022, under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Enforcement Directorate.
He has been in judicial custody since then.
The ED's case is based on a complaint filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging that Jain had acquired movable properties in the names of various individuals from February 14, 2015, to May 31, 2017, which he could not satisfactorily account for.
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