LI Network
Published on: 10 July 2023 at 14:40 IST
Former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain’s interim bail on medical grounds has been extended by the Supreme Court until further orders. The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Justice AS Bopanna and Justice MM Sundresh, granted an extension to Jain’s interim bail and postponed the hearing until July 24.
Senior Advocate AM Singhvi, representing Jain, informed the court that three hospitals, namely GB Pant, Apollo, and Max, have recommended surgery for his condition. The Enforcement Directorate, represented by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, requested the court to direct Jain to undergo a medical checkup at AIIMS for an independent evaluation, expressing doubts about the reports from the three hospitals.
The court acknowledged the submission of two medical reports and requested the third report to be provided and submitted to the Additional Solicitor General. On May 26, the Supreme Court had granted Jain interim bail for six weeks in a money laundering case, with several conditions, including restrictions on media interactions and leaving Delhi without permission. Jain was given the liberty to choose any hospital for his medical treatment, with the court emphasizing that the interim bail was granted based on medical grounds.
Satyendar Jain has approached the Supreme Court seeking bail in the money laundering case after his bail plea was rejected by the Delhi High Court. His lawyer argued before the Supreme Court that Jain has experienced a significant weight loss of 35 kg and has become emaciated as a result of his health condition.
Satyendar Jain, the former Delhi minister, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s dismissal of his bail plea in the money laundering case. On April 6, the Delhi High Court rejected Jain’s bail plea, citing his influential status and potential to tamper with evidence as reasons.
The High Court reserved its order on March 21 after hearing arguments from both the defense and prosecution. During the proceedings, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, contended that the case against Jain and other co-accused in the money laundering matter is crystal clear. In his bail plea, Jain stated that he has cooperated with the investigation, having appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on seven occasions, and that he was arrested in 2022, five years after the alleged incident.
Satyendar Jain’s bail petition was previously dismissed by the trial court on November 17, 2022. He was arrested on May 30, 2022, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Enforcement Directorate and is currently in judicial custody. The Enforcement Directorate’s case is based on a complaint registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging that Jain had acquired movable properties between February 14, 2015, and May 31, 2017, in the names of various individuals without satisfactory explanations.
