Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Former Delhi Minister Satyender Jain on Medical Grounds [Read Order]

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail to former Delhi Minister Satyender Jain for six weeks on medical grounds in a case of money laundering investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.

A vacation bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and P S Narasimha also put several conditions, including that the petitioner shall not influence and meet with any of the witnesses, or leave the area of National Capital Region (NCR) without permission of the trial court.

"During the interim bail, all the relevant treatment papers and prognosis at such treatment shall be produced before this Court. The petitioner shall refrain himself to appear before Print or Electronic Media or any social media platform to give any statement on any issue during the interim bail," the bench said.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Jain, sought interim bail looking to the weight loss and other medical conditions. He relied upon a report of the G.B. Pant Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, New Delhi, dated 04.05.2023.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju sought a direction for independent evaluation of his health conditions by AIIMS, Delhi and RML Hospital here, in view of his previous conduct when he pretended illness to get himself admitted to LNJP hospital under the control of Delhi government.

"After hearing counsel for the parties, at present there is no reason to disbelieve the report of G.B. Pant Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research. We think it appropriate that the citizen is having a right to take treatment of his choice, at his own expenses, in a private hospital. Therefore, we deem it appropriate to release the petitioner on interim bail on medical grounds for a limited period of six weeks," the bench said.

The bench, however, decided to examine his health records on July 10.

Jain, arrested on May 30, 2022, is at present admitted to G. B. Pant Hospital here.

Singhvi also said Jain has lost 35 kgs weight and suffered from muscular atrophy, besides other diseases.

Raju on behalf of the ED opposed the plea, saying "All his medical reports must be examined not just a pinch of salt, but a large amount of salt. No prejudice would be caused to him on Independent examination."

With regard to weight loss, the law officer said he is Jain and believed in fasting.

The court fixed the matter for further hearing on July 10.

[Read Order]