Delhi HC rejects AAP leader Satyendra Jain’s bail plea

The Delhi High Court has rejected the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendra Jain in a money laundering case.

Jain has been in custody since May 30 2022. The bail of co-accused Vaibhav Jain and Ankush Jain was also denied by the court.

The court said that all the three accused had failed to meet and pass the two conditions specified for bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The trial court had in November last year denied Jain bail.

The verdict comes at a time when the AAP's Manish Sisodia is also in custody in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.

Following their arrests, both Sisodia and Jain resigned from the cabinet headed by Delhi Chief Minister, Aravind Kejriwal.

Jain had earlier submitted that no case was made out against him and he had fully cooperated in the investigation. He also said that there was no requirement to continue his incarceration after the chargesheet has been been filed.

Jain had gone in appeal to the High Court against the November 17 2022 order of the trial court which had rejected his bail plea on the ground that he was prima facie involved in concealing the proceeds of the crime. The trial court had also rejected the bail pleas of both the Jains on the ground that they had "knowingly" assisted Satyendra Joining concealing the proceeds of the crime and were "prima facie guilty" of money laundering.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had vehemently opposed the bail pleas both in the trial court and High Court.

In its reply the ED said that the bail plea of Jain should be dismissed as his release would obstruct further investigation. There is also CCTV footage from Tihar jail, where is in custody, to show that he is an influential person who may influence the witnesses and frustrate the proceedings.