ED opposes interim bail to Jet Airways founder Goyal; HC to pass order on May 6

The Enforcement Directorate ED on Friday opposed the interim medical bail sought by Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal in a money laundering case and said his stay at a private hospital could be extended for a month reported news agency PTIGoyal has sought interim bail on medical and humanitarian grounds citing that both he and his wife Anita Goyal suffered from cancerOn Friday a single bench of Justice N J Jamadar said it would pass orders on May 6 reported PTIA special court had in February refused bail to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal but permitted him to be admitted to a private hospital of his choice and seek medical treatmentJet Airways founder Naresh Goyal had last week moved the high court seeking interim bail on merits and release on medical groundsWhile Goyals counsel Harish Salve urged the court to consider the case on humanitarian grounds the EDs counsel Hiten Venegaonkar vehemently opposed the bail and said the probe agency did not have a problem if his hospitalisation was extended reported PTIBefore closing the matter for orders Justice Jamadar remarked that taking treatment without restraint would make a differenceThere is a distinction when a person gets medical treatment without any restraint he saidTo which Venegaonkar said there was no restraint even nowHe is getting treated at a hospital of his choice and by doctors of his own choice His wife is also in the same hospital and there is no restraint for them to meet and spend time together Venegaonkar said reported PTIThe lawyer said the court may extend his hospitalisation for four weeks and then call for a fresh medical report to assess his situationSalve argued that apart from his deteriorating physical health Goyals mental health was also not good reported PTIHis mental health is also a point of concern Being mentally infirm is worse than physical infirmity Salve said reported PTIThe senior counsel said section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA is strict on grant of bail to persons arrested for a financial crimeBut there is a proviso under the section which says bail may be considered in cases of old age or infirmity This proviso makes this section more humane Salve said reported PTIThe court may grant interim bail to Goyal and impose the strictest conditions on him he saidHe Goyal has been told his wife has only six months to live as she has terminal cancer He has also got cancer His mental state and his wifes mental state need to be considered At this stage they both need love and affection Salve said reported PTIThe ED arrested Goyal in September 2023 on allegations that he had laundered money and siphoned off loans to the tune of Rs 53862 crore given to Jet Airways by Canara Bank reported PTIHis wife Anita Goyal was arrested in November 2023 when the ED submitted its charge sheet in the case She was granted bail by the special court on the same day considering her age and medical conditionWith inputs from PTI