The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved an order on the bail plea of Sameer Mahendru. He is accused in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna reserved the order after hearing the submissions made by the counsel for accused and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Advocate Dhruv Gupta appeared for Mahendru. He argued that Mahendru is in custody for more than 22 months. Another accused Manish Sisodia has got bail from the Supreme Court after custody for 17 months.
Mahendru has a better ground for the grant of bail.
He further referred to the Supreme Court judgement in Sisodia's bail matter and submitted that delay is a ground for bail. There is no need to meet the twin conditions under section 45 PMLA. Article 21 will prevail over section 45 of PMLA.
The accused's counsel also submitted that Mahendru is not a politician and he has been in custody for more than 22 months. He was under the court's constructive custody during the interim bail.
On the other hand, Counsel for ED opposed the bail plea. He stated that delay cannot be a ground for bail in economic offences.
He was granted interim bail on the grounds of wife's health. Earlier, his interim bail was dismissed.
Sameer Mahendru has been charged sheeted in the money laundering case linked with the Delhi excise policy.
In this case, CM Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and BRS leader K Kavitha are also accused, along with others.
Mahendru was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on September 28, 2022, in the money laundering case.
(ANI)
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