NEW DELHI: Delhi’s Patiala House Court has rejected the plea filed by Supertech chairman and promoter RK Arora, who sought a further 90-day extension of interim bail on medical grounds. Arora was apprehended in June last year in connection with a money laundering case.
In an order issued on Friday, Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala dismissed his plea and instructed jail authorities to provide him with the necessary prescribed medical treatment and permit him to carry the prescribed medicines, as advised by his treating physicians.
The court mandated that the applicant/accused, Ram Kishor Arora, must surrender to jail authorities on or before May 13 by 5 pm.
Moreover, the court stated, “Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the report of the medical board formed as per the directions of the Hon’ble High Court, I am of the considered opinion that there is no need for an extension of interim bail on medical grounds, especially when the date for the alleged surgery has not yet been fixed by any private or government hospital.”
“The applicant/accused may receive the prescribed treatment for his ailment while in custody.”
Considerations by the Court
The court observed that the applicant/accused has been on interim bail since January 16 this year and that the investigation has already been completed, with the prosecution complaint filed and cognizance taken.
“The applicant/accused has not been reported to misuse the liberty of interim medical bail and has been consistently undergoing medical treatment.”
Previously, when the same court granted interim bail, it mentioned that the medical reports of the accused submitted on record are supported by the diagnostic report, and their authenticity is not disputed.
It was argued on behalf of the Directorate of Enforcement that the investigation is ongoing, and extending interim bail would provide the applicant/accused an opportunity to tamper with evidence and pose threats to homebuyers, noted the court.
According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), 26 FIRs were filed by various police agencies against Supertech Limited and its group companies under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with 406 (criminal breach of trust)/420 (cheating)/467/471 IPC, alleging cheating of at least 670 homebuyers for Rs 164 crore.
The ED further alleged that funds collected by Supertech Ltd. were diverted to their group companies for purchasing properties with significantly lower values.
The accused individuals were purportedly involved in acquiring properties and making wrongful gains from the proceeds of crime through criminal activities related to scheduled offenses.
It is claimed that a prima facie case for offenses punishable under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has been established.