Mumbai Court rejects medical bail plea of Naresh Goyal

A Mumbai Court on Wednesday rejected the plea filed by Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal seeking bail on medical grounds in the money laundering case against him [Naresh Goyal v. Enforcement Directorate].Special judge MG Deshpande permitted Goyal to continue to remain hospitalized at the HN Reliance private hospital to avail cancer treatment but denied any permanent bail on those grounds. “Goyal’s hospitalization is continued. He may consult and can take second opinion of the cancer experts in Tata Memorial hospital, Mumbai to overcome his illness or else ED may also approach the hospital with all the medical papers of Goyal and in case if the doctors in Tata Hospital require physical examination Goyal with any new tests, ED shall not oppose the same and cooperate everyone in that event” the court held..The judge observed that the doctors were actively addressing Goyal's medical concerns and considering the best course of action for his treatment, including the possibility of chemotherapy for his cancer. " Therefore, granting bail in such circumstances may not offer any significant benefit, as the applicant is already under the care of experienced professionals. Consequently, the potential benefits of bail at this stage may not be justified", the order stated. .The court further emphasized that continued hospitalization is the need of the hour for Goyal's health. "Bail is not a remedy, but rather the likelihood of a prolonged stay of the applicant (Goyal) in the hospital is inevitable and the only solution. Hence, there are no circumstances to grant bail on this ground. Instead, continued hospitalization is the need of the hour for the health of the applicant, as advised by the doctors. The Court has already granted the same", the judge concluded. .Goyal approached the sessions court for bail after the Bombay High Court rejected his plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a loan default case. On January 6, Goyal broke down before special court and requested the judge not to provide him any medical treatment saying he has lost all hope in life and would rather die in prison.Following this, on January 9, the special judge permitted Goyal to consult private doctors for a medical checkup.Based on these medical reports, Goyal sought interim bail on medical grounds since the check-up revealed malignant tumors in Goyal's body.Judge Deshpande then permitted him to be hospitalised for two months to avail cancer treatment even though his interim plea was rejected on February 29. Subsequently, his medical bail plea itself came to be rejected on Wednesday though Goyal will be allowed to continue in hospital for treatment. Goyal’s bail plea on merits is still pending. That will be heard by the special court on April 22, 2024..[Read order]