Gujarat Samachar director held by ED, granted bail till May 31
AHMEDABAD: A day after his arrest by
on
money laundering
charges in a 2023 complaint,
Bahubali Shah
, 73, director of Gujarat Samachar Ltd and Lok Prakashan Ltd, was granted
interim bail
until May 31 by a special
PMLA court
on Friday on
health grounds
.
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After ED sleuths brought Shah to VS Hospital for a medical examination after his arrest on Thursday evening, his health condition deteriorated. Shah was immediately admitted to the ICU of a private hospital on SG Highway where he remains under treatment.
Shah's arrest by ED was preceded by an extensive search and survey carried out on 40-odd residential and business premises in Ahmedabad associated with Gujarat Samachar daily and other business entities mainly in the
real estate sector
.
Appearing on behalf of Shah, senior counsel Devang Vyas filed a regular bail application before the court mainly on health grounds. He assured the court of Shah's full cooperation in the investigation once his health improved. The ED did not object to the grant of bail for a brief period considering his health condition. However, the agency reserved its right to reply to the regular bail plea later. Special PMLA judge K S Sojitra granted interim bail to Shah on furnishing surety and a personal bond of Rs 10,000.
The court has ordered the accused to update the IO about his health condition every alternate day. The court has directed that he should not attempt to hamper or tamper with the case. Shah has also been ordered to extend full cooperation to the investigating agency subject to his health condition. The court has posted further hearing on the regular bail plea on May 31.
Opposition Congress on Friday flayed the ED's action against Shah.
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said in a post on X that the attempt to silence Gujarat Samachar 'is another conspiracy to suppress the voice not just of one newspaper but of the entire democracy'. He added, 'The country will neither be run by sticks nor by fear — India will be run by truth and the Constitution.'
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