Delhi High Court Seeks ED's Response On Satyendar Jain's Default Bail Plea In Money Laundering Case

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice on the plea filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain seeking default bail in the money laundering case.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma sought response of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and listed the matter for hearing next on July 09.

Jain, who is presently under judicial custody, has challenged a trial court order passed on May 15 dismissing his application seeking default bail under Section 167 (2) of Cr.P.C.

The case, which dates back to 2022 when Satyendar Jain was arrested by ED, revolves around allegations of money laundering through four companies during 2010-12 and 2015-16.

Jain sought default bail on the ground that the ED failed to complete the investigation within the statutory period but filed a complaint under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 against him.

The AAP leader contended filing of an incomplete chargesheet or complaint in a PMLA case, when investigation is pending, is violative of the fundamental right of an accused under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

In March, the Apex Court had observed that Satyendar Jain, along with his aides Ankush Jain and Vaibhav Jain, were prima facie guilty of the alleged offences of money laundering.

This was when the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to Satyendar Jain in, highlighting the failure of the accused to fulfil the twin conditions set out in Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for bail.

In April last year, the Delhi High Court denied regular bail to Jain.

Title: Satyendar Jain v. ED