Gujarat Samachar director granted bail by PMLA court
HighlightsBahubali Shah, the 73-year-old director of Gujarat Samachar Limited and Lok Prakashan Limited, was granted interim bail on health grounds following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on money laundering charges. The Enforcement Directorate's extensive search involved around 40 residential and office premises in Ahmedabad associated with Gujarat Samachar and other business entities primarily in the real estate sector. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the Enforcement Directorate's actions, stating that silencing Gujarat Samachar is an attempt to suppress democracy and emphasised that India will be governed by truth and the Constitution.
A day after his arrest by
Enforcement Directorate
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.
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 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 office 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.
Rahul Gandhi
said in a post on X, "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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