Sarath Chandra bailed due to poor health, not on case merit: Delhi HC

Hyderabad: The Delhi High Court stated that P. Sarath Chandra Reddy, prime accused in the Delhi liquor policy scam case, was granted bail only due to poor health and not on the merits of the case, an analysis of the judgment copy revealed.

The copy was made available on Tuesday, a day after the court had granted bail to the Aurobindo Pharma scion.

In the hearing on Monday, counsel for the accused requested bail on health grounds, citing severe back pain suffered by Sarath Chandra, and submitted a doctor’s note in this regard. The note advised him to rest for a few days to alleviate lower back pain.

Counsel contended that Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act allowed for bail on the grounds of sickness. Section 45(1) of the PMLA elucidates the legislature's intent to incorporate relaxations for persons below sixteen years of age, a woman, or one who is sick or infirm.

Counsel also cited several precedent judgments in this regard. Considering the contentions, the Delhi High Court granted regular bail to Sarath Chandra Reddy, but made it clear that this order cannot be taken as a precedent as it was done only on health grounds.