Rouse Avenue District Courts: An application filed by the accused seeking an extension of interim bail for 12 weeks on medical grounds. Gaurav Rao, J., extended the interim bail of the applicant for six weeks from 17-02-2025, emphasizing that his medical condition required continued care.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had initiated proceedings against the applicant under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The accused had been granted interim bail vide orders dated 31-12-2024, which was further extended on 18-01-2025, owing to his medical condition following a spinal surgery (Lumbar Spine Instrumentation) performed on 15-01-2025. The accused contended that his medical condition necessitated further post-operative care, including six weeks of bed rest and two months of supervised physiotherapy, as per medical advice.
The applicant underwent spinal surgery, and he remained hospitalized until 20-01-2025. He claimed that his post-operative condition remained critical, with severe pain, restricted mobility, and a heightened risk of permanent spinal damage if adequate medical care was not ensured. He presented a prescription dated 17-02-2025, which recommended another six weeks of bed rest and ongoing physiotherapy. His counsel argued that proper recovery was not feasible within the confines of Tihar Jail due to inadequate medical supervision and the lack of necessary facilities.
The accused further contended that he satisfied the exception clause under the proviso to Section 45(1) of the PMLA due to his medical infirmity and, therefore, did not need to meet the stringent twin conditions for bail under the Act. He assured the Court of his cooperation, emphasizing that the prosecution’s case was primarily based on documentary evidence, which was already secured, and thus, he posed no risk of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.
The Court examined the medical reports, jail records, and hospital prescriptions, ultimately finding that the accused had indeed undergone surgery and required post-operative care. The Court noted that although the ED raised doubts regarding the authenticity of the accused’s claims, its own reply acknowledged that the accused had been admitted to VNA Hospital and had undergone spinal surgery.
The Court rejected the ED’s argument that the applicant had fabricated his medical condition, emphasizing that multiple verified medical records, including X-ray and post-operative assessments, corroborated the accused’s claims. However, the Court expressed concerns over the accused’s failure to adhere to medical advice, particularly his failure to undergo the recommended 3D CT scan and supervised physiotherapy sessions.
The Court highlighted that while granting bail on medical grounds, the primary consideration is whether the required treatment can be availed in jail. Given the specific post-operative care required for spinal surgery recovery, the Court found that jail conditions were not conducive to ensuring proper healing.
Thus, the Court extended the interim bail of the applicant for six weeks from 17-02-2025, with the explicit condition that he strictly adheres to medical recommendations. It directed him to:
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Undergo the advised CT scan immediately.
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Commence physiotherapy at a reputed medical center under expert supervision.
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Follow up with Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital to provide an independent medical assessment of his condition.
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Seek immediate treatment for other serious medical ailments cited in his petition and submit relevant medical records.
The Court warned that any failure to comply with these conditions would result in the cancellation of interim bail. It also dismissed the ED’s request for a medical board examination, finding no substantial reason to doubt the authenticity of the accused’s medical condition.
Accordingly, the application was disposed of, and the accused was granted interim bail until 01-04-2025.
[ED v. Lakshay Vij, 2025 SCC OnLine Dis Crt (Del) 4, decided on 28-02-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
Sh. Shailesh N. Pathak, Sh. Simon Benjamin and Sh. Manish Jain, Ld. SPPs for the ED along with Sh. Rahul Choudhary, AD, ED.
Counsels Sh. Prabhav Ralli, Ms. Vanya Gupta (through VC), Sh. Dev Vrat Arya, Sh. Syed Asif Iqbal and Ms. Aparna Sharma for accused/applicant