• Source:JND
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Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal was on Monday granted an interim bail for two months on medical grounds. Goyal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in September 2023 in a money laundering case. The federal probe agency alleged he siphoned off loans to the tune of Rs 538.62 crore given to Jet Airways by Canara Bank. A single bench of Justice N J Jamadar pronounced the decision on Goyal’s bail.

Notably, Goyal applied for regular bail on medical grounds as he was undergoing cancer treatment at HN Reliance Private Hospital in Mumbai. He moved to the high court after his plea was turned down by a special PMLA court on April 10, 2024. His wife Anita Goyal has also been battling cancer.

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Goyal has been asked to deposit a surety bond of Rs 1 lakh and not leave Mumbai without prior permission from the trial court. He has also been asked to surrender his passport.

During the hearing, Harish Salve, counsel for Goyal, urged the court to consider the latter’s plea on humanitarian grounds. He pointed out not only Goyal's physical difficulties but also the mental strain due to his wife's similar health condition. Salve highlighted Goyal's wish to accompany his wife during her final days, emphasizing his choice of chemotherapy over more invasive surgery to remain by her side.

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The ED, however, opposed Goyal’s bail plea citing a lack of recent medical reports. The probe agency also said the bail was not required as Goyal was already hospitalized and being treated in the hospital of his choice. After hearing both sides, the HC decided to grant him bail for two months.