The Supreme Courtroom as we speak granted interim bail to Journalist Mahesh Langa, previously working in The Hindu, in a cash laundering case lodged in reference to two FIRs regarding the offence of dishonest.
Langa was first arrested on October 7, 2024, in reference to a GST fraud case and was arrested within the cash laundering case on February 20, 2025.
The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi was listening to the bail plea by the journalist.
Whereas granting the interim bail, the bench directed that the petitioner adjust to the next circumstances :
(1) furnish bail bonds on the directions of the particular courtroom beneath PMLA;
(2) the Particular courtroom is directed to take up the case on a day-to-day foundation for recording the statements of 9 witnesses;
(3) the petitioner and his counsel are directed to increase full cooperation to the Particular Courtroom, and no adjournment shall be allowed on the bottom that the quashing petition is pending earlier than the Excessive Courtroom;
(4) The petitioner shall not publish or write any article within the place because the Assistant Editor of the Newspaper, with respect to the allegations that are sub-judice towards him earlier than the Particular Decide at Ahmedabad. The petitioner is at liberty to position on report his objections/ any extra materials.
(5) The ED shall submit a standing report with respect to the compliance with the circumstances by the petitioner.
The bench additional directed the Enforcement Directorate to file a standing report concerning the compliance of the above circumstances by the petitioner. The bench warned that if the interim aid is misused, the order shall be recalled.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Langa.
Solicitor Common of India Tushar Mehta, for the Ed, blamed Langa for the delay within the trial, saying that he was searching for adjournment of the charge-hearing on the bottom that his petition searching for quashing of the proceedings was pending. Refuting the submission of the SG, Sibal submitted that the ED was not supplying the paperwork sought by the accused. Sibal mentioned that he has produced a listing of paperwork sought and never provided. SG disputed this assertion.
Sibal argued that the dual bail circumstances of Part 45 of the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act weren’t relevant as the cash concerned didn’t cross the Rs 1 crore threshold. SG argued that the quantity concerned crossed 1 crore. Sibal then claimed that the ED has not given any paperwork to that impact.
Sibal mentioned that the grievance is filed just for Rs 68 lakhs, and no predicate offence can be concerned. SG mentioned that the paperwork sought are annexed with the grievance. Sibal, at this juncture, mentioned that these paperwork don’t pertain to greater than 1 crore, and that the ED has not proven any doc for quantity cross 1 crore. The bench mentioned that it’s going to not go into this side since it’s a material of trial.
When the bench proposed to grant interim bail, SG opposed and sought an adjournment until tomorrow, saying “journalists extorting cash is a severe offence”. The SG mentioned that he can fulfill the bench in regards to the involvement of 1 crore.
Nonetheless, the bench proceeded to grant interim bail. Saying that solely solution to discover out the reality is thru the trial, the bench mentioned that it was due to this fact issuing instructions for day-to-day proceedings.
SG mentioned that the grant of interim bail is nearly as good as a “last aid”. “Contemplating the info, I might have wished that your lordships allowed me to boost the arguments. As soon as he’s out, it’s nearly as good as SLP is allowed. Journalists extorting cash saying should you do not pay I’ll write towards you, is a severe offence,” SG mentioned.
“Industrialists concentrating on journalists can be severe,” Sibal replied.
When the bench directed the posting of the matter to January, SG mentioned, “it may be on any date. Now that he’s out, it doesn’t make any distinction.”
Background
Langa filed the current petition after the Gujarat Excessive Courtroom dismissed his plea for bail, observing that he had a variety of antecedents and that whereas in custody, he had influenced witnesses.
Earlier than the Excessive Courtroom, Langa, who was working with The Hindu, had argued that as per PMLA, twin circumstances would apply solely in these circumstances the place quantity concerned is greater than Rs. 1 crore, whereas, within the current case, the overall quantity concerned within the predicate offences was Rs. 68.68 (Rs. 28.68 Lakhs talked about in FIR No.1 + Rs.40 Lakhs talked about in FIR No.2) which is lower than Rs.1 crore. Due to this fact, the trials of dual circumstances beneath Part 45 wouldn’t come into play.
Nonetheless, the Courtroom rejected his argument and mentioned that threshold of Rs.1 crore not having been crossed, by itself, wouldn’t entitle him to be enlarged on bail as a matter of proper. It was additional famous that there have been numerous circumstances lodged towards Langa and with respect to Rs. 20 lakhs seized from his home, there have been contradictory statements given by him, his spouse and sister-in-law.
Case Particulars : MAHESHDAN PRABHUDAN LANGA Versus STATE OF GUJARAT AND ANR., SLP(Crl) No. 13743/2025
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