The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the State of Gujarat government on a plea for bail filed by journalist Mahesh Langa in a money laundering case linked to accusations of fraud against him.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi decided to examine the plea by Mr. Langa, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, whose bail application had been earlier rejected by the Gujarat High Court. The case would now come up again for hearing after two weeks.
Mr. Sibal began by the chain of FIRs and cases being registered against Mr. Langa, indicating the criminal law process is being used as a tool for harassment.
Mr. Sibal said the cases lodged against his client were based on baseless allegations.
“In one FIR, he gets anticipatory bail, then a second FIR is lodged and again anticipatory bail is granted but now he is booked under third FIR for income tax evasion. There are other things also being arraigned against him,” Mr. Sibal submitted.
