SC Grants Bail To Eknath Khadse’s Son-in-law In Pune Land Scam Case

The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Girish Choudhary, son-in-law of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Eknath Khadse, in a money laundering case related to the irregularities in Pune’s Bhosri land matter.

However, the top court directed Girish Choudhary to surrender his passport and fully cooperate in the ongoing investigation, as stated by Choudhary’s advocate, Mohan Tekavde.

A bench of justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh passed the order stating, “Be that as it may, on the present facts, we note that the petitioner on the earlier instances had also sought interim orders with regard to the treatment be obtained. This Court at an earlier point on 20.04.2023 had indicated that the petitioner be taken for treatment to Dr Ashok Kriplani, Nephrologist, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Marine Lines. Though at that stage the treatment has been provided, the health condition of the petitioner requires treatment on and off. Therefore, keeping all these aspects in view, we are of the opinion that in the instant facts, the petitioner should be released on bail.”

Furthermore, “Hence, we direct that the petitioner be released on bail subject to the appropriate conditions being imposed by the trial court which shall also include the condition to deposit his passport and see that the petitioner is available as and when required for further proceedings in the case. For the said purpose, the petitioner shall be produced before the trial court forthwith.”

Chaudhari has filed an appeal challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision and sought bail in the matter after his bail application was rejected by the High Court. Prior to this, the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai also turned down Choudhary’s bail plea in relation to the Pune’s Bhosari land scam case.
ED arrested Girish Chaudhary in July 2021 in connection with the land scam case.

On April 27, the Bombay High Court granted interim relief from arrest to Mandakini Khadse, wife of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Eknath Khadse, until June 20 in connection with an alleged land deal in Pune.

Her lawyer, Advocate Mohan Tekavde, informed about the development.

The matter was listed before Justice Anuja Prabhudessai.

The matter was heard before Justice Anuja Prabhudessai. In December, the High Court waived the pre-arrest interim bail condition of regular attendance before the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Earlier, the High Court also granted interim protection to former Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse and instructed the Enforcement Directorate not to arrest him for a week. Within that period, he was required to approach a special PMLA court for relief, which got from the special trial Judge.

Mandakini Khadse moved the High Court seeking pre-arrest bail in the same money laundering case related to a 2016 Pune land deal. Her counsel, Mohan Tekavde and Swati Tekavde, submitted the plea before the High Court.

Advocate Tekavde stated, “She is a senior citizen and educated person residing with her family members. She is arraigned as an accused in the case lodged by ED in 2019. Her application listed a number of medical conditions she suffers pre suffered from.”

Mandakini Khadse asserted that this is the only case against her and she has been fully cooperative with the investigations.