A Prevention of Money Laundering Act court on Wednesday reserved its order on NCP leader and former chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal’s bail application. The court also extended the judicial custody of Mr Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer, currently lodged in Arthur Road Jail, to May 25.
Mr Bhujbal was produced before the court via videoconferencing, and his lawyer P. K. Dhakephalkar sought his bail on medical grounds. His application stated that senior Bhujbal had gone for an angioplasty and had asthma problems, his blood sugar levels have to be monitored, and that he needs to follow dietary restrictions.
The court adjourned the matter to May 13.
A trial court has issued a non-bailable warrant against Mr Bhujbal’s son Pankaj and Sunil Naik, a chartered accountant. Mr Bhujbal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 14 and Sameer Bhujbal was arrested on February 1 in a money laundering case. It is alleged that the Bhujbals have accepted cash in lieu of awarding projects to contractors, then channelled such illegal cash into various companies controlled by them, and integrated it into the business activities of group companies.
