A Delhi court has granted regular bail to Vinesh Kumar Chandel, co-founder of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), in a money laundering case related to an alleged coal pilferage investigation. The bail was approved by Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal of the Patiala House Courts. Chandel was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The court noted that the ED had the chance to oppose the bail plea but opted not to do so. Previously, on April 23, a Delhi court had issued a notice to the ED regarding Chandel’s bail plea and had requested the agency’s response. However, on April 28, the Patiala House Court had rejected his interim bail plea, which was based on medical grounds concerning his mother’s health.
Despite citing his mother’s health issues, the court found that Chandel had not presented sufficient grounds for interim bail. It emphasized that interim bail in cases under the PMLA should only be granted under compelling and exceptional circumstances. Chandel had been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days on April 23 after the conclusion of his ED remand.
The ED has alleged that M/s Indian PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd, under the direction of Chandel and others, engaged in financial transactions involving unaccounted cash, bogus invoices, and hawala channels. The agency claims that the company utilized unaccounted funds for election-related expenses and to influence public opinion, including receiving purported funds from political parties. Additionally, the ED asserts that the company introduced Rs 13.50 crore as unsecured, interest-free loans without valid justification.
