The Bombay High Court has granted Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal interim bail for two months on medical grounds.
High Court had last week reserved its order on plea filed by 75 year-old Goyal seeking bail on humanitarian grounds, wherein Goyal sought bail from citing his and wife's cancer treatment, who's condition he said has been critical.
A single bench of Justice N J Jamadar granted Naresh Goyal interim bail upon payment of surety of Rs one lakh and under the condition that he stays within the jurisdiction of the PMLA court of Mumbai. "The applicant (Goyal) shall be released on interim bail for a period of two months. He shall abide by all conditions imposed," the bench said.
The high court also directed Goyal to surrender his passport.
Goyal's counsel Harish Salve urged the high court to consider the bail plea on humanitarian grounds, adding that apart from deteriorating health, Goyal's mental state too was not good.
"The accused has a right to be treated in a private hospital. He is in the twilight years of his life, and he deserves to get the treatment of his choice," one of Goyal's lawyers had submitted before the court in February this year.
However, Enforcement Directorate counsel Hiten Venegaonkar had opposed the bail and said the agency will not oppose if Goyal's hospitalisation is extended. Subsequently, the special judge for cases under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) - MG Deshpande - had on April 10 rejected Goyal's bail application, stating that he was already getting the "best possible" treatment at a hospital of his choice.
The erstwhile promoter of Jet Airways has been facing trial in an alleged Rs 538 crore money laundering case involving a loan fraud complaint by PSU lender Canara Bank, after being arrested by Enforcement Directorate in September 2023. His wife too was arrested two months later after the ED submitted its chargesheet in the case.
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