Bombay High Court Adjourns Anil Deshmukh's Bail Plea For Two Weeks, Directs Lawyer To Demonstrate Medical Urgency

Deshmukh has sought bail on merits from the High Court in the money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate after the special court refused relief.

On Friday, the High Court observed that several accused were languishing in prison, therefore, taking up the present matter out of turn, without a demonstrable medical emergency, wouldn't be right.

"Not only in this case but in a number of cases the accused are languishing in jail for years. So keeping them inside and taking this matter will not be right….."

Justice Anuja Prabhudessai was irked with the insufficient details on Deshmukh's health, despite his counsels seeking an urgent hearing citing a medical emergency.

"Every matter comes with a medical emergency and then (lawyers) argue on merits. That's not correct,the court cannot be taken for granted," the court observed.

Deshmukh is in custody since November 3, 2021. He filed the bail application in the high court last week while ED filed their response two days ago calling Deshmukh the mastermind of the entire conspiracy.

During the hearing, Justice Prabhudessai said that she had granted circulation because a medical emergency was cited.

While Advocate Aniket Nikam sought time as the counsel was not present, he asserted that there was a medical emergency. Deshmukh had dislocated his shoulder and admitted in the hospital for three days.

"Give me whatever medical issues you have, I'll call them to give their say," Justice Prabhudessai said.

Nikam requested for the court to directly call for a report. However, the judge sought for an application in writing.

ASG Anil Singh said he had a lot to say about Deshmukh's purported medical emergency, but would wait for Deshmukh to file a fresh application.

Thereafter the court sought an application with details of his health, while commenting on the sorry state of other inmates languishing in prison.