Supreme Court Grants Bail To Accused Charged Under PMLA In Relation To Mahadev Betting Scandal

The Supreme Court today (October 3) granted bail to accused Sunil Dammani in relation to a money laundering case connected to the Mahadev Betting Scandal. 

The bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing the challenge to the order of the Chhattisgarh High Court which rejected the bail plea of Dammani. The accused was accused of the offence of money laundering under s.3 and 4 of PMLA. 

Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa appearing for the petitioner submitted that Dammani has been in custody since August 23, 2023 and presently the trial is yet to commence with 98 witnesses listed for examination. Pahwa added that he has not been charged with a predicate offence under the PMLA 2002. 

Advocate Zoheb Hossain appearing for the ED informed the bench that a total amount of Rs. 5,000 crores has been laundered abroad and 45 accused are involved in the scandal so far. 

The court noted that the prima facie case against the appellant seems that he being a hawala officer assisted the other accused in transferring the proceeds of crime. 

The bench has granted bail to Dammani upon the condition that he shall appear before the Enforcement Directorate Officials every 15 days and not travel abroad without court approval. The Court has also set aside the impugned order of the High Court. 

"Without saying anything on merits, we are of the view that the appellant may be released on bail subject to bail conditions, HC order is set aside...appellant is ordered to be released on bail if not required in any other investigation, subject to the condition that the appellant shall mark his presence every 15 days at the ED office ...the appellant shall not leave the country without prior permission of the Court."   

Appearances for the petitioner : Senior Adv Vikas Pahwa, Tushar Giri, Adv, Sahil Bhalaik, Adv

Case Details : SUNIL DAMMANI Versus DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT| SLP(Crl) No. 11755/2024