Yesterday, the Delhi High Court granted bail to businessman P Sarath Chandra Reddy on medical grounds in a money laundering case related to the Delhi government's alleged excise scam. The bench headed by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said, Although "good basic treatment" can be given to the accused in jail, the court cannot expect specialised treatment and monitoring which is required in the present case, 

The judge said Reddy was in a "bad state" and qualified as "sick/infirm" in order to be released on bail in the money laundering case and there was no material on record to show that he was a flight risk.

The court clarified that the order was passed in view of the accused's medical condition without going into the merits of the case and asked him not to travel without permission or tamper with evidence.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, said the law on admitting an accused on bail on the grounds of being sick or infirm was well settled and an appropriate order may be passed if the court was satisfied with the medical record in the present case.

Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, appearing for Reddy, said medical records showed he was "sick and infirm" and was entitled to bail under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

"The petitioner is admitted to bail on furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One lakh) with two sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court," the court said in its May 8 order.

"It is also a settled proposition that the right to life is a facet of the Fundamental Right enshrined by the Constitution. The right to live with dignity includes the right to live a healthy life. The person who is sick or infirm has a right to have adequate and effective treatment. Though jails and designated hospitals provide good basic treatment, we cannot expect them to provide specialised treatment and monitoring as required in the present case," the court said.

The court also asked Reddy to surrender his passport, appear before the investigation officer whenever asked and keep his mobile phone in working condition.