AAP leader Satyendar Jain was granted bail by Rouse Avenue Court on October 18, 2024. He has been bailed in a case of money laundering and was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in May 2022. He spent over two years behind the bars before his release through bail.
PMLA had been charged against him. Jain had been refused regular bail by the Supreme Court in March 2024. Earlier, in May 2023, the Supreme Court on medical grounds had granted him interim bail. After his interim bail ended, Jain returned to Tihar Jail.
The bail comes like a huge respite for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Jain is the third AAP leader who has been granted bail lately. Last month, Arvind Kejriwal, the former chief minister of Delhi and AAP national convenor, also was granted bail. Another top leader of AAP, Manish Sisodia, was also granted bail on August 2024.
Satyendar Jain granted bail, former CM kejriwal reacts
Kejriwal welcomed the verdict, calling Jain a hero of better healthcare to the people. The ex-CM went further to vouch for Jain by saying that his only mistake was building mohalla clinics where health care is free. Kejriwal blamed the central government for putting Jain behind bars just to get free health care for the poor derailed in Delhi.
“His only fault was that he built mohalla clinics and made all treatment free for all the people of Delhi. Modi ji put him in jail for closing down mohalla clinics and stopping free treatment for the poor. But God is with us. Today he too has been released. Welcome back Satyendra.”
Family happily welcomes Jain ahead of Diwali
The Jain’s arrest is alleged to be connected with the “conversion of money laundering” charges related to a new liquor policy unveiled in Delhi. The wife, Poonam, and daughter, Shreya, were in the courtroom when bail was announced. Shreya spoke with joy, saying Diwali came early for their family.
The family of Jains said that this decision was a long time coming. “Whenever we go to court, our family has always had faith that justice will be done. During the legal process, they kept their hopes alive,” observed Shreya. Poonam, Jain’s wife, thanked the court and judiciary for the decision. She pointed out that Jain has always been committed to social work and helping society all his life.
Following a string of allegations of corruption, Jain’s bail came after a long spell of increased scrutiny for the AAP party. The decision on Jain’s bail was arrived at following several court cases spanning over two years. The supporters view Jain’s imprisonment as politically motivated. AAP party leaders and followers highly praised Jain’s work regarding the setting up of mohalla clinics. The granting of bail to Jain with the charges against him has been viewed in reverse by his detractors. Jain’s release is seen as a victory for AAP ahead of elections.