The Supreme Court of India made interim bail permanent for journalist Mahesh Langa in an ED-linked money laundering case. Court imposed strict conditions, including no media writing on sub-judice matters and full cooperation with trial.
The Supreme Court of India has confirmed its earlier decision to grant interim bail to journalist Mahesh Langa in a money laundering case linked to an alleged financial fraud investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Ahmedabad.
A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, passed the order while hearing the matter on April 10. The Court noted submissions made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the ED, and confirmed that the interim bail granted earlier would continue.
ALSO READ: Hemant Soren Exempted From Personal Appearance In ED Case: Jharkhand High Court
The top court had initially granted interim bail to Langa on December 15 last year and had scheduled the matter for further hearing on April 10.
During the hearing, the Bench accepted the request of the Solicitor General that the observations made in the earlier bail order should not affect the merits of the case. The Court agreed that the interim relief granted should not be treated as a comment on the strength or weakness of the prosecution’s case.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared on behalf of Mahesh Langa in the proceedings.
Earlier, while opposing the bail plea, the Solicitor General had argued,
“Journalists extorting money and saying that if you do not pay, I will write against you is a serious offence.”
The Supreme Court laid down several conditions while confirming the bail. It directed that,
“The petitioner will furnish the bail bonds to the satisfaction of the designated special court under the PMLA,” and further added, “The special court is directed to take up the case on a day-to-day basis for consideration of charge and if charge is framed, recording the statements of all the nine witnesses.”
The Bench also instructed that Langa and his legal team must cooperate fully with the trial court proceedings. It clearly stated that no unnecessary delays would be allowed, observing that
“no adjournment shall be sought or permitted on the ground that quashing proceedings are separately pending before the high court”.
This direction was issued because the High Court has not granted any stay on the ongoing trial proceedings.
The Court also placed responsibility on the Enforcement Directorate to ensure smooth progress of the case, stating,
“The Directorate of Enforcement shall also cooperate with the special judge for taking up the case on a day-to-day basis.”
ALSO READ: Money Laundering Case: Supreme Court Stays Trial Against Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren
Further, the Bench clarified that Langa retains the right to defend himself legally and raise all relevant arguments before the trial court.
Importantly, the Court imposed a restriction on Langa’s professional activities during the pendency of the case. It ordered that,
“The petitioner shall not publish or write any article in his position as an assistant editor of a newspaper with respect to the allegations, which are sub-judice against him, before the special judge at Ahmedabad.”
The Supreme Court also emphasized that the continuation of bail depends on Langa’s conduct, noting that the relief is subject to his “good conduct and behaviour”.
In the background of the case, the Gujarat High Court had earlier rejected Langa’s bail plea on July 31 last year. The High Court had observed that granting bail at that stage could adversely affect the prosecution’s case.
ALSO READ: BREAKING | Ex-CM Hemant Soren Granted Bail by Jharkhand HC
According to the Enforcement Directorate, Langa was arrested on February 25, 2025, in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged financial fraud. Prior to this, he had already been arrested in October 2024 in a Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud case.
The money laundering investigation against Langa arises from two FIRs registered by the Ahmedabad Police. These FIRs include serious allegations such as fraud, criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and causing wrongful financial loss amounting to lakhs of rupees to several individuals.
The Supreme Court’s latest order ensures that while Langa remains on interim bail, the trial will proceed without delay, with strict directions for cooperation from both the accused and the investigating agency.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Money Laundering
