The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail for six weeks to former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain in a money laundering case on medical grounds. A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Karol agreed to list the matter for hearing on May 26 after senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Jain, sought urgent hearing of the plea on health grounds.
Before the hearing, the Enforcement Directorate filed its reply in the apex court. In its reply, the ED said that Jain was using his influence in Delhi to get false news about his illness from the hospital. The agency further alleged that the former Delhi minister presented a report of LNJP Hospital in the apex court, which was earlier rejected by the Delhi High Court.
The ED also said that in cases related to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, bail is granted on the ground of illness only when there is a threat to life. The probe agency, in its reply, further said that Jain’s medical examination should be done in a hospital which is not under the Delhi government.
Jain was admitted to the hospital with a spinal injury and is currently on oxygen support. Tihar Jail officials have said that the former minister had fallen in the bathroom in the morning. This happened after he was taken to Safdarjung Hospital on Monday for observation for a spinal problem. Doctors examined him for a second opinion after he was taken to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital on Saturday.
Last week, Jain had approached the apex court seeking bail in the case against him. He had challenged the Delhi High Court order rejecting his bail plea in the money laundering case against him. On 6 April, the Delhi High Court rejected the bail plea of Satyendar Jain. HC rejects Satyendar Jain’s bail plea, says applicant is an influential person and has the ability to tamper with evidence. At this stage, Satyendar Jain/applicant cannot be held to satisfy the twin conditions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), reported news agency ANI.
The HC had reserved the order on March 21 following the conclusion of the submissions made by the defense and prosecution after several hearings. During the arguments, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, said money laundering is clear against Jain and other co-accused. In his bail plea, Jain said, “I appeared before the ED on 7 occasions. I have cooperated. And participated in the investigation. I was arrested after 5 years in 2022,” as quoted by ANI Is.
