Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail To Journalist Mahesh Langa In A Money Laundering Case
While granting interim bail, the Court has directed Langa not to publish or write any article regarding the allegations sub judice against him.
The Supreme Court, today, granted interim bail to Journalist Mahesh Langa in a money laundering case.
The Supreme Court, in September, had previously issued notice on the bail plea in a case arising out of complaints involving allegations of cheating and extortion of around Rs. 68.68 Lakhs.
The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipil M Pancholi ordered, "On consideration, the Petitioner is directed to be released on interim bail, subject to the following conditions: i) Furnish bail bonds to the satisfaction of the Special Court under PMLA, ii) The Special court is directed to take up the case on day to day basis to take up for the recording the statements of nine witnesses, iii)The Petitioner and his counsel are directed to provide full cooperation for trial and no adjournment to be sought on the ground that quashing is filed...iv) The Petitioner shall not publish or write any article, in his position as an assistant editor of a newspaper, with respect to the allegations sub judice against him before the Special Judge at Ahmedabad...The Enforcement Directorate shall furnish a status report regarding the above directions."
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Mahesh Langa, whereas Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Advocate Zoheb Hussain appeared on behalf of the Respondents.
SG Mehta submitted that the matter requires consideration; therefore, he needs time to file an additional counter. He submitted that a journalist has been found to be extorting money.
Sibal said, "They have already filed a counter, to which I have filed a rejoinder...now they want to file an additional counter...they just want to delay so that I can be kept inside as long as they want...it is not fair on your part to interfere like this at every stage."
CJI Kant asked Sibal, "See here, you are seeking bail and also filing a quashing petition to delay the trial."
Justice Bagchi said, "Section 45 might not apply. The Amount alleged to have been laundered is 68 lakhs. There are certain suspicious transactions which the judge has also noted. There is a possibility of an enhancement of this amount."
Sibal replied, "There is no predicate offence qua seven crores.".
Justice Bagchi replied, "In addition to the bar under Section 45, in the ordinary rule of bail, the Judge has addressed that there are certain indications of you prevailing certain witnesses who have retracted statements. Now the Solicitor General is filing an additional affidavit."
CJI clarified, "Mr Sibal, what my brother is saying is that you need to cooperate with the trial...We need an undertaking from you that you cooperate in the trial."
Sibal replied, "There is no charge sheet in predicate offence...If I say the trial will go on, then I accept. There is no stay in the quashing petition. He (Solicitor General) is saying I am influencing witnesses. It is shocking the kind of submissions are being made...I have disclosed details of all FIRs in this petition and before the High Court...This is very, very disturbing...Since October 2024, I have been inside and for what offence? It's not murder!"
Background
On July 31, the Gujarat High Court rejected Langa's bail plea in the money laundering case on the grounds that if released on bail, prejudice would be caused to the prosecution's case.
On February 25, the ED said it arrested Langa in a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged financial fraud.
He was first arrested in October 2024 in a GST fraud case.
The money laundering case against Langa stems from two FIRs filed by Ahmedabad police on charges of fraud, criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, cheating and causing wrongful loss of lakhs of rupees to certain people.
The matter is now listed for a further date.
Cause Title: MAHESHDAN PRABHUDAN LANGA vs STATE OF GUJARAT [SLP(Crl) No. 13743/2025]