Jet Airways Founder Naresh Goyal Steps Out Of Jail To Meet Ailing Wife

Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal came out of jail for a few hours from Arthur Road prison in Mumbai on Saturday to meet his ailing wife.

It comes days after a special court in Delhi permitted Goyal, an accused in the alleged fraud of Rs 538 crore on Canara Bank, to meet his ailing wife on humanitarian grounds. He was also being allowed to consult his private doctors for multiple ailments.

He had recently told the court that he had "lost every hope of life and it would be "better if he died in jail" than living in such a situation. Goyal had submitted that he was missing his wife very badly who is in the last stage of cancer.

On Tuesday, Special Judge M G Deshpande granted permission to Goyal to visit his Mumbai residence and meet his wife. Additionally, the judge allowed him to seek consultation from his private doctors for various ailments between January 10 and 12.

The judge acknowledged the undisputed fact that the accused is turning 75 and is grappling with multiple illnesses. Notably, Goyal's body is not responding adequately to maintain his well-being.

The court observed, "There is also not much dispute about the additional fact that his wife is bedridden, suffering from cancer. The accused's only daughter is reportedly not well enough to care for her mother. In this way, the accused and his wife find themselves in a situation akin to orphans. Given these circumstances, the desire to meet the ailing wife once is entirely natural," the judge remarked.

The judge reassured that allowing these permissions would not prejudice the Enforcement Directorate (ED)."Considering this exceptional situation, I am of the opinion that empathy warrants considering the prayer of accused Naresh Goyal to meet ends of justice on humanitarian grounds," he said.

Goyal was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on September 1 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following an extensive interrogation at the central agency's office. Presently, he is in judicial custody and housed at Arthur Road jail.

The money laundering charges arise from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR filed against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita, and some former company executives of the now-defunct private airline. The allegations are linked to an alleged Rs 538-crore fraud case at Canara Bank.

The FIR originated from the bank's complaint, asserting that it approved credit limits and loans amounting to Rs 848.86 crore for Jet Airways (India) Ltd, with Rs 538.62 crore remaining outstanding.