On Friday, a special PMLA court rejected the bail application of Alamgir Alam, a former Jharkhand Congress minister, in a significant money laundering case. Judge Prabhat Kumar Sharma emphasized that Alam's influential status posed a risk of tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses.

The court described money laundering as an "economic threat" to national interests, committed with deliberate conspiracy and personal gain motives, regardless of societal or economic consequences.

Judge Sharma referenced judicial opinions that typically prescribe jail for money launderers, making bail an exception rather than the rule. Alam, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 15, has been detained since then following questioning at the ED's Ranchi office. The 74-year-old politician, who previously served as the rural development minister, had sought regular bail, asserting his innocence and claiming he was falsely implicated without substantial legal evidence.

Alam's defense argued that the case lacked solid evidence and was politically motivated, aiming to tarnish his reputation. They contended that Alam, suffering from medical conditions such as sleep apnea and hypertension, should be granted bail on health grounds.

The ED opposed the bail request, highlighting Alam's influential background and involvement in a broader corruption scheme. The agency alleged that Alam's co-accused, Veerandra Kumar Ram, a former chief engineer, collected commissions for government work, which were distributed among senior officials and politicians, including Alam's personal secretary, Sanjeev Kumar Lal.

The court found the ED's evidence compelling and, based on a preliminary review of the prosecution materials and the gravity of the charges, determined that Alam posed a risk of committing further offenses if released on bail.

"The petitioner is an influential person and there is a chance that the petitioner would attempt to cover up the evidence or influence the witnesses cited in the prosecution complaint who were working under him being public servants," the court said as it rejected his bail petition.