HC denies bail to Bhujbal; lower court orders him back to jail

The Bombay High Court today rejected the bail plea of Maharashtra’s former PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and dismissed his petition challenging the legality of his arrest under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Also, the special court for PMLA cases directed that 69-year-old Bhujbal be shifted back to Arthur Road jail from the J J Hospital here.

The prison authorities had said Bhujbal refused to undergo angiography thrice after complaining of heart issues and his continued stay in the hospital would serve no purpose.

The High Court, which rejected Bhujbal’s bail plea, said he failed to show that his arrest was illegal. “He has further failed to show that the Special Court passed the remand order mechanically without application of mind,” said the division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Shalini Phansalkar. Bhujbal had sought bail from the High Court on medical grounds. He also contended that his arrest by the ED was not as per the procedure established by law.