'PMLA bail terms can be eased for illness, women'

Observing that stringent bail conditions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) make it difficult for an accused to get bail, the Delhi high court has ruled that relaxations have to be given in cases where the accused is a woman or is sick, reports Amit Anand Choudhary.

The court passed the order while granting bail to an accused on medical grounds in the Rs 3,269-crore bank loan fraud case by Delhi-based Shakti Bhog Foods Ltd.

A bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh noted that the condition of the accused was such that he could not be taken care of inside jail.

The twin bail condition under the PMLA, which has recently been upheld by the Supreme Court, says that bail can be granted only if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty; and s/he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.