AAP’s Satyendar Jain gets interim bail from SC in money laundering case on medical grounds

NEW DELHI,MAY 26 : The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail to Delhi’s former health minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain in a money laundering case on medical grounds for six weeks. Satyendar Jain has been in Tihar jail since his arrest in connection with a money laundering case in May last year.

The apex court said Satyendar Jain cannot leave Delhi without permission and cannot make any statement before the media. The Supreme Court allowed jailed Satyendar Jain to undergo treatment in the hospital of his choice, asking him to produce medical records.

Jain was admitted to Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital on Thursday after he collapsed in a bathroom of Tihar Jail due to dizziness. He was admitted to the ICU after his health deteriorated.

The AAP said former Delhi minister Jain was first admitted to the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital and later shifted to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital due to breathing problems. This was the second time in a week that the former minister was taken to hospital.

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According to his lawyer, Satyendar Jain has lost weight by around 35 kilograms while in custody.

Lost 35 kgs: Jailed AAP leader Satyendar Jain admitted to Safdarjung Hospital

The AAP leader was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in May last year for allegedly laundering money through shell companies and buying land with illegal funds. He has denied the charges and said they were politically motivated.

“We are inclined to consider interim bail on medical grounds and grant him six weeks to take medical treatment in private hospitals of his choice. He is being released on interim bail on medical grounds on conditions imposed by the trial court with the addition that he shall not influence or meet with any witnesses,” the court said. This order shall remain in operation till July 11.

Satyendar Jain on oxygen support at LNJP Hospital after he collapsed in Tihar jail washroom

A senior jail official said that around 6 am on Thursday, under-trial prisoner Satyendar Jain slipped in the bathroom of the MI room of the hospital of central jail number-7, where he was kept under observation for general weakness. On Monday, Jain was taken to the Safdarjung Hospital as he was feeling unwell.

Arvind Kejriwal had also shared a photo on Twitter that showed an emaciated and frail-looking Jain sitting in a chair at the hospital and two police personnel standing there.

“I pray to god for his better health. The people of Delhi are watching the arrogance and atrocities of the BJP. Even god will not forgive these oppressors. In this struggle, the people are with us and god is by our side. We are followers of Bhagat Singh and our fight against oppression, injustice and dictatorship will continue,” he tweeted in Hindi.

Satyendar Jain was a prominent member of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s cabinet and held several portfolios, including health, home and urban development. He resigned from his ministerial posts in January this year while still in jail.

-The India Today