A Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to Vinesh Chandel, director at Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), in a money laundering case, a day after the conclusion of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The court, while granting relief, noted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had not opposed the bail plea. In its observation, the court said that the stringent twin conditions under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) were not applicable in this instance.
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Bail granted after earlier setback
The development comes two days after Chandelâs interim bail plea was rejected on April 28. At the time, the court held that his request did not meet the threshold of âexceptional humanitarian groundsâ required for interim relief.
Chandel had sought interim bail citing the deteriorating health of his 74-year-old mother, who is reportedly suffering from dementia.
However, with the ED choosing not to contest the regular bail application, the court proceeded to grant him relief.
Legal context and case background
Under Section 45 of the PMLA, courts typically apply strict conditions before granting bail in money laundering cases, including satisfaction that the accused is not guilty and unlikely to commit further offences.
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In this case, the absence of opposition from the ED appears to have weighed in Chandelâs favour, easing the application of these conditions.
Further details of the case and the conditions attached to the bail were not immediately available.
