Former Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain has been granted bail by a Delhi court in a ₹4.8 crore money laundering case. The court's decision comes after Jain spent over 18 months in judicial custody following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in May 2022.
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| Satyendar Jain being received by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh after he walked out of jail, in New Delhi on Friday, October 18, 2024. (PTI Photo) |
Court's Decision and Bail Conditions
The bail was granted by Special Judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Court, who cited delays in the trial process as a key factor for the decision. The court noted that the trial was unlikely to start soon and may take significant time to conclude. Additionally, the judge referred to the Supreme Court's recent decision to grant bail to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, drawing parallels between the two cases.
Jain was released on a personal bond of ₹50,000 and must adhere to conditions set by the court, including not contacting witnesses, not interfering with the legal proceedings, and not leaving the country.
Background of the Case
Satyendar Jain’s troubles began when the CBI filed an FIR against him in 2017 under the Prevention of Corruption Act, accusing him of having disproportionate assets worth ₹1.47 crore. This was followed by the ED's investigation into allegations that Jain had laundered ₹4.8 crore through several companies linked to him and his relatives. The ED attached assets worth ₹4.81 crore belonging to these companies as part of their probe.
Defense and Bail Plea
Jain’s legal team argued that his prolonged detention was unjustified, as the trial was facing significant delays. His lawyer, Senior Advocate N Hariharan, pointed out that there were over 100 witnesses and thousands of pages of evidence, which would take time to process. He also highlighted that other individuals facing similar charges, such as Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case, had been granted bail.
The Enforcement Directorate opposed the bail, arguing that Jain had not cooperated with the investigation and could influence witnesses or flee if released. However, the court found that the delay in the trial, combined with Jain’s extended period in custody, justified his release.
AAP’s Reaction
Following his release, Satyendar Jain addressed a gathering of AAP leaders and supporters, accusing the ruling government of targeting AAP leaders to tarnish their reputation. He claimed that his arrest, along with those of other AAP figures like Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, was an attempt to discourage common people from entering politics.
AAP celebrated the court’s decision, describing it as a victory for truth. Party leader Arvind Kejriwal praised Jain for his contributions to the public, particularly the creation of Mohalla Clinics, which provide free healthcare in Delhi. Kejriwal suggested that Jain's arrest was politically motivated to hinder the party’s initiatives for the poor.
The decision to grant bail to Satyendar Jain marks an important moment in the ongoing legal case. With significant evidence yet to be reviewed and numerous witnesses to be heard, the trial could take a long time to conclude. For now, Jain remains out on bail, though the legal proceedings are far from over.
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