On Monday, the Supreme Court granted temporary relief to Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on medical grounds. The leader was granted an interim bail extension until additional orders are issued.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Jain and seeking an extension of his interim bail, informs the court that Jain has undergone a spine operation and requires time to recover. However, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju insists on an independent evaluation, claiming that the independent evaluation will reveal that Jain does not require hospitalization.
The Supreme Court will hear the case again on August 21. The Supreme Court granted interim bail to the accused in a money laundering case on May 26 until July 11 on medical grounds, rejecting the Enforcement Directorate’s contention that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader’s health status must first be examined by a panel of doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital.
According to jail officials, Jain was hospitalized after falling in the lavatory at Delhi’s Tihar Jail. On May 30, last year, the Enforcement Directorate apprehended Jain under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED case is based on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) complaint alleging that Satyender Jain acquired moveable properties in the names of numerous people between February 14, 2015, and May 31, 2017, for which he could not account adequately.
Jain had already petitioned the Supreme Court for bail in a money laundering case against him on May 15. He has appealed the Delhi High Court’s decision to deny his bail application in the money laundering case against him.
Satyendra Jain’s bail application was denied by the Delhi High Court on April 6. The Supreme Court, in refusing Satyendar Jain’s bail application, indicated that the petitioner is influential and has the capacity to tamper with evidence. Satyender Jain/applicant cannot be held responsible for failing to meet the PMLA’s twin criteria at this time.