Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 14: High Court has granted bail to the former Chairman of J&K State Cooperative Bank Srinagar in Prevention of Money Laundering (PML) case on medical grounds.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) last year arrested former J&K Co-operative Bank Chairman Mohammad Shafi Dar in connection with a Rs 250-crore money laundering case. Dar was arrested along with Mohammad Hilal A Mir, the Chairman of the River Jhelum Cooperative Housing Building Society, a “fictitious firm”.
He had applied for the bail and the ED, in its objection, opposite the same on the ground that the petitioner is prima facie guilty of commission of offences of money laundering and was arrested under Section 9(1) of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 on 30.11.2023 when he was found evasive and non-cooperative in the investigation.
Justice Rahul Bharti granted bail to applicant-Dar on medical grounds. Court said there is a medical reference on record to prima facie establish that he is having heard related complication which he in exercise of his fundamental right to personal liberty is well within his right to get it treated to the best of his resources and discretion and in that regard the public exchequer can be absolved from bearing the burden of medically attending the petitioner in custody.
“The petitioner is granted bail subject to the terms and conditions of furnishing personal bond to the tune of rupees ten lacs to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of Jail concerned and surety bond of two sureties of like amount to the satisfaction of Registrar Judicial, Srinagar of this court. The petitioner shall not leave the territorial jurisdiction of Special Judge Anti-Corruption (CBI cases) Srinagar without due permission from the said court by making an application to the said effect by show of reasons”, Justice Bharti directed.
Court further laid a condition on him that he shall not in any manner influence or intermeddle with the investigation and trial of the case as may come to be set up by the ED against him and shall be bound to present himself in person as and when called and summoned by the ED or the Special Court and Authority in connection with the case in reference.
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