The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Amitabh Jhunjhunwala, a former senior executive of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), in a money laundering case linked to an alleged bank loan fraud, after taking note of his age and medical condition.
Justice Madhu Jain held that the 70-year-old accused required structured and continuing medical care and was entitled to the statutory exception available to a person who is sick or infirm under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Court Notes Multiple Health Conditions
The Court considered the medical material placed before it and noted that Jhunjhunwalaโs condition involved a combination of advanced age, significant spinal pathology, osteoporosis, a need for supervised rehabilitation and a pre-existing cardiac condition requiring continued management.
Jhunjhunwala was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on April 15. He had sought regular bail on medical grounds.
ED Opposed Bail Plea
The Enforcement Directorate opposed the application, arguing that Jhunjhunwala did not satisfy the legal threshold for being treated as sick or infirm under the PMLA.
The agency submitted that his health condition remained under medical supervision and that the investigations and treatment advised by government hospitals could be provided through the custodial medical system.
The High Court, however, granted him bail after considering the nature of his medical requirements and the statutory exception under the anti-money laundering law.
