Applicant granted regular bail under Article 21 due to prolonged pretrial detention, lack of prima facie money-laundering case

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....The HC allowed the Applicant's regular bail application under Article 21, directing immediate release subject to stringent bail conditions and personal bonds. The Court found prolonged pretrial detention (custody since 05.09.2024, over 15 months), absence of framed charges and imminent trial, parity with a co-accused already granted bail, and lack of a clear prima facie case for money-laundering collectively satisfied the triple-test for bail. Risk of tampering was mitigated by recorded statements of material witnesses and advanced material collection. The Court held continued incarceration would be punitive; breach of bail conditions will invite prompt cancellation and permits the Enforcement Directorate to take appropriate action.....