New Delhi, Oct 3 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to Sunil Dammani, accused in the money laundering case connected to the Mahadev Betting app.
A Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra was hearing a petition against the order of the Chhattisgarh High Court which rejected the bail plea of Dammani an accused in the money laundering case.
He was booked under Section 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa appearing for Dammani submitted that he has been in custody since August 23, 2023. The trial in the case is yet to commence with 98 witnesses listed for examination.
Pahwa said that Dammani has not been charged with a predicate offence under the PMLA 2002.
Advocate Zoheb Hossain appearing for the ED informed the bench that a total amount of Rs. 5,000 crores has been laundered abroad and 45 accused are involved in the scandal so far.
The court noted that the prima facie case against the appellant seems that he being a hawala officer assisted the other accused in transferring the proceeds of crime.
The court granted bail to Dammani on the condition that he shall appear before the Enforcement Directorate Officials every 15 days and not travel abroad without court approval.
The bench said, “Without saying anything on merits, we are of the view that the appellant may be released on bail subject to bail conditions.
The High Court order is set aside and appellant is ordered to be released on bail if not required in any other investigation, the Top Court said.
The bench directed that the appellant shall mark his presence every 15 days at the ED office and he shall not leave the country without prior permission of the Court.”
