Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Journalist in Money Laundering Case, Bars him from Writing on Ongoing Proceedings [Read Order]

The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim bail to journalist Mahesh Langa in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with two FIRs alleging offences of cheating.

The case arises from proceedings initiated after Langa was arrested on October 7, 2024, in a Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud case. He was later arrested on February 20, 2025, in the money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Langa approached the Supreme Court after the Gujarat High Court rejected his bail plea.

The Enforcement Directorate was directed to submit a status report regarding compliance with the conditions imposed by the Court. The bench observed that the interim relief would be recalled if it was found to have been misused.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Langa and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta represented the Enforcement Directorate. The Solicitor General argued that Langa was responsible for delaying the trial by seeking adjournments during the hearing on framing of charges, citing the pendency of his quashing petition.

Langa’s counsel disputed this claim and argued that the delay was due to the failure of the ED to supply documents sought by the defence. The counsel also argued that the stringent twin conditions for bail under Section 45 of the PMLA were not applicable, as the amount involved in the alleged predicate offences did not cross the statutory threshold of Rs. 1 crore.

The Solicitor General argued that the amount involved exceeded Rs. 1 crore and that supporting documents were part of the record.

The bail plea was heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi explained that it would not go into this issue at the bail stage, as it relates to matters to be examined during trial.

When the Court indicated its inclination to grant interim bail, the Solicitor General opposed the relief and sought time to advance further arguments. The Bench pointed out that the truth of the allegations can only be tested during trial and directed that the proceedings should not be delayed.

While granting interim bail, the court directed Langa to furnish bail bonds as per the directions of the Special Court under the PMLA. The court also directed the Special Court to conduct the trial on a day-to-day basis for recording the statements of the remaining nine witnesses.

The court further directed that Langa and his counsel shall extend full cooperation to the trial court and shall not seek any adjournment on the ground that his petition seeking quashing of proceedings is pending before the High Court.

The court also restrained Langa from publishing or writing any article, in his capacity as a journalist, concerning the allegations that are sub judice before the Special Judge at Ahmedabad. At the same time, the court clarified that he is free to place his objections or any additional material on record before the trial court.

Earlier, the Gujarat High Court had rejected Langa’s bail plea, observing that he had several antecedents and that there were allegations of influencing witnesses while in custody. The High Court also observed that the fact that the alleged amount did not cross Rs. 1 crore would not, by itself, entitle the accused to bail, and referred to contradictions in statements regarding cash allegedly recovered from Langa’s residence.

The Supreme Court has now granted interim bail subject to strict conditions and has listed the matter for further consideration in January 2026.

The detailed order is awaited.

Maheshdan Prabhudan Langa Vs. State of Gujarat And Anr.,

SLP(Crl) No. 13743/2025

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