The Bombay High Court granted interim bail for two months to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal in a money laundering case arising out of an alleged loan default of Rs. 538 Crores. The bail was granted considering the critical stage of illness.
Goyal was arrested by the ED on September 1, 2023, on charges of money laundering amounting to Rs 538.62 crore related to Jet Airways. Goyal, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer at HN Reliance Private Hospital, was denied permanent bail on medical grounds by a special PMLA court on April 10, 2024. Thus, he approached the High Court.
It was pleaded that the accused was suffering from duodenal cancer the treatment for which is complicated. The wife of the Applicant has come down with severe cancer and despite multiple surgeries the cancer has reappeared. This state of health of his wife is exacerbating the mental condition of the Applicant.
“It may well be that these few months that follow may be the end of the road for the Applicant and his wife. In these circumstances, to keep the Applicant in incarceration and limiting his bail to stays in hospital where he cannot be with his wife, is a gross violation of basic human rights. Prisoners of war are not accorded treatment that is so degrading and inhuman”, Goyal contended in his bail application.
Goyal contended that denying him bail restricts his fundamental right to life under Article 21 and contends that his current incarceration is inhumane, given his and his wife’s health conditions.
ED opposed the bail plea stating that it should not be considered at this stage as Goyal is already hospitalized in a private hospital of his choice and there is no expert opinion that he should be discharged.
In light of the arguments, Justice NJ Jamadar granted bail for two months. A Special PMLA Court denied Goyal interim bail on medical grounds but allowed him to be hospitalized for two months for cancer treatment.
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