The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain's bail plea in a money laundering case until September 25. Jain, a former Delhi government cabinet minister, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in May 2022 but was granted interim bail earlier this year due to medical reasons. The court has now clarified that this interim relief will continue until the next hearing.

Satyendar Jain's plea challenging the Delhi High Court's decision to deny him bail in April was being heard by a bench comprising Justices AS Bopanna and Bela M Trivedi. Last month, Jain's interim bail was extended for the second time because he was recovering from a complex spinal operation. Despite opposition from Additional Solicitor-General SV Raju, who advocated for an independent medical examination and cancellation of interim bail, the bench decided to defer Jain's surrender until September 1. On that day, the hearing was adjourned after Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra recused himself from the case.

Today's hearing was adjourned after Additional Solicitor-General SV Raju requested it. Singhvi, representing Jain, agreed to the suggestion, and the court directed the matter to be re-listed on September 25.

In addition, the court directed co-accused Ankush Jain to be released on interim bail for four weeks due to his child's urgent colon surgery. Another accused in the money laundering case, Vaibhav Jain, was released for four weeks last month because his mother was undergoing a spinal cord operation.

Background

In 2017, Jain and others were accused by the Central Bureau of Investigation of money laundering amounting to Rs 11.78 crore during 2010-2012 and Rs 4.63 crores during 2015-16, when he served as a minister in the Delhi government. It was alleged that the money laundering was done through three companies – Paryas Infosolution, Indo Metalimpex, Akinchan Developers, and Mangalayatan Projects.

Jain was accused of providing money to Kolkata-based entry operators of shell companies, who then rerouted the money through shares in Jain-linked companies after 'layering them through shell companies'.

The Directorate of Enforcement based its case on the CBI complaint, alleging that Jain signed conveyance deeds for the purchase of agricultural lands by Prayas Infosolutions in 2011 and 2012. The central agency further alleged that the land was later transferred to family members of Jain's associates who denied knowledge about the transfers.

The ED attached properties worth Rs. 4.81 crores belonging to five companies and others in the money laundering case against Jain and others last year. These assets were reportedly in the name of Akinchan Developers, Indo Metal Impex, Paryas Infosolutions, Mangalayatan Projects, and J.J. Ideal Estate, among others.

Jain's bail application was previously denied by a trial court in November, citing prima facie evidence of his involvement in concealing proceeds of crime. The Delhi High Court also denied his bail in April, stating concerns about his potential to tamper with evidence.

In May, Jain was granted interim bail on medical grounds, which has now been extended until September 25.

Case Title: Satyendar Kumar Jain v. Directorate of Enforcement | Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 6561 of 2023.