Money Laundering Case: SC Extends Interim Bail of AAP Leader Satyendar Jain

The Supreme Court on Monday extended the interim bail granted to AAP leader Satyendar Jain until further orders in a money laundering case.

A bench of Justice Bela M. Trivedi and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma deferred the matter after Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Jain, presented detailed arguments and later requested an adjournment. The case is scheduled for listing tomorrow.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi apprised the court of the background of the case against his client, emphasizing that Jain has cooperated throughout the proceedings, and no predicate offence has been established against the former minister.

Singhvi argued that, according to the law, the assets of a company cannot be attributed to a shareholder or director. He questioned how money could be linked to Jain when it is associated with the company.

The Additional Solicitor General, SV Raju, appeared on behalf of the probe agency.

During the hearing on Jain’s bail, there were several twists and turns. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud explained the change in the bench combination, citing a matter related to the extension of bail. He also mentioned receiving communication from Justice AS Bopanna, requesting to handle part-heard matters due to medical reasons preventing him from hearing the case.

Previously, Jain’s bail plea was partly heard by a bench comprising Justices AS Bopanna and Bela M. Trivedi. In today’s session, the matter was listed before a bench of Justice Trivedi and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.

Jain, who underwent surgery on July 21, has had his interim bail extended on medical grounds on multiple occasions.

On May 26, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Satyendar Jain for six weeks in the money laundering case, imposing various conditions, including restrictions on speaking with the media and leaving Delhi without permission. Jain was also given the right to choose any hospital for his medical treatment. The court clarified that interim bail is considered in medical conditions.

Satyendar Jain moved the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court’s order dismissing his bail plea in the money laundering case. The Delhi High Court, on April 6, rejected Jain’s bail plea, citing concerns that he, being an influential person, could tamper with evidence and might not meet the conditions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) case against Jain is based on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) complaint, alleging that he acquired movable properties between February 14, 2015, and May 31, 2017, which he could not satisfactorily account for. Jain was arrested on May 30, 2022, under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is presently in judicial custody. The trial court had dismissed his bail petition on November 17, 2022.