New Delhi, April 27 (). The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to extend the interim bail granted to liquor baron Sameer Mahendru in a money laundering case related to the now scrapped liquor excise policy.
Mahendru was directed by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma to surrender before jail authorities on May 1, as the judge observed that the practice of granting interim bail cannot be turned into an evergreen process or used in place of regular bail. Could
According to Mahendru’s counsel the doctor has possibly scheduled Mahendru’s surgery for May 5, thus the court directed the jail authorities to take the accused to the doctor on May 4. The court said- The petitioner, if necessary and advised by the doctor, may be admitted to the hospital. Guards of jail officials will be posted there. The wife and minor children of the petitioner shall be given facility to visit and assist him. He will be given food as per the advice of the doctor.
Justice Sharma further asked the doctor to submit a report detailing the period required for postoperative care after the surgery. If the doctor determined that Mahendru’s surgery was not necessary, he would be sent to prison; However, if necessary, he will remain hospitalized till May 15, when the court will hear the matter once again.
Court said- This court is of the firm opinion that everyone has the right to adequate and effective medical treatment. This Court also accepts the view of the Senior Counsel (for the accused) that there is always an issue of trust and confidence between the patient and the doctor.
The high court said the accused would have to bear the security personnel posted there and the cost of his surgery. The high court had on Tuesday sought response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Mahendru’s bail plea on medical grounds. Justice Sharma asked the ED to submit a status report and verification report regarding Mahendru’s health claims.
His counsel had claimed that the trial court had subsequently extended the businessman’s interim bail, which was granted on February 28, as the health of the accused was still poor and he had placed on record recent medical documents. On February 28, the court had granted Mahendru interim bail on medical grounds for a period of 30 days after he claimed that he was suffering from various ailments. Later on March 29, the trial court extended Mahendru’s interim bail.
Earlier this month, the court had again extended the interim bail granted to Mahendru for a period of seven days while adjourning the matter due to the ongoing protests by the advocates. The ED had earlier alleged that Mahendru was the kingpin and focal point around which the entire criminal conspiracy evolved and was essential for setting up the cartel and ensuring repayment of the kickback amount.
Mahendru has been chargesheeted by both the investigating agencies.
KC/ANM
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