Bhujbal’s bail verdict to be announced on Friday

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal’s bail application’s verdict will be pronounced on Friday, a special court stated on Wednesday.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal’s bail application’s verdict will be pronounced on Friday, a special Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) court stated on Wednesday.

Bhujbal has, for the first time, approached the court seeking bail on medical grounds. Bhujbal’s counsel has been arguing that he is suffering from various ailments.

His counsel had told the court that he has already undergone an angioplasty, suffered from asthma and sleep apnea, had dietary restrictions and his blood sugar levels have to be monitored constantly. The ED opposed the bail plea saying his health condition is been taken care of. Enforcement Directorate (ED) lawyer Poornima Kantharia said Bhujbal was very actively involved in routine activities. “The bail should be rejected as he is keeping fine. The chief medical officer is monitoring his health in the evening and morning. He was also admitted and has been subjected to all kinds of tests. The reports are out on whatever complaints he had made and all possible treatment has been given,” she argued.

The lawyer, while elaborating on Bhujbal’s ailments, said, “Asthma is not a major ailment and every night he is provided a machine [CP/AP machine, a small machine that supplies a constant and steady air pressure] for sleep apnea. The angioplasty was done 13 years ago and his utmost care is being taken. All care is taken, including that of the heart. The exercises [advised by doctors] can be done in jail as well.”

The ED, which has filed a criminal complaint in the special PMLA court against 53 people, has so far arrested three accused in the case — Chhagan, his nephew Sameer and their chartered accountant Sunil Naik. While an NBW has been issued against 30 people, only Naik was arrested and has been granted bail.