Medical grounds for bail under money-laundering law led to release with strict safeguards and travel restrictions.

Bail under s. 439 CrPC read with s. 45 PMLA was considered on medical grounds alone. The Court accepted that the applicant required special medical care, relying on the medical report showing urinary bleeding, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, asthma, anxiety and acid peptic disorder, with referral to J.J. Hospital and a pending CT scan. It also treated the COVID-19 situation as a further factor affecting access to treatment. Bail was granted subject to strict conditions, including surrender of passport, no contact with witnesses, cooperation with the Enforcement Directorate and travel restrictions to secure the applicant's presence and protect the investigation.

---

---

Issues: Whether bail should be granted to the applicant under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 read with Section 45 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 on medical grounds.

Analysis: The application was pressed only on medical grounds. The medical report showed hematuria, burning sensation while passing urine, abdominal pain, per-rectal bleeding, asthma, anxiety and acid peptic disorder, and also indicated referral to J.J. Hospital and a pending CT scan. The Court accepted that the applicant required special medical care and treatment, and considered the prevailing COVID-19 situation as an additional circumstance affecting prison and hospital movement. The Court also noted that the applicant's presence for further investigation could be secured by imposing conditions, including surrender of passport, non-contact with witnesses, cooperation with the Enforcement Directorate and restrictions on travel.

Conclusion: Bail was granted on medical grounds, subject to stringent conditions to secure the applicant's presence and prevent interference with the investigation.

---