BailOrder – Delhi High Court Grants Bail to SDPI Chief M K Faizi
BailOrder – The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed the bail plea of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) president M K Faizi, who had been in judicial custody in connection with a money laundering investigation initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The decision came weeks after a trial court had declined him relief in the same matter.
High Court Allows Bail After Hearing Both Sides
The order was passed by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna after considering arguments presented by Faizi’s counsel and the Enforcement Directorate. While the detailed reasoning behind the court’s decision is yet to be made public, the order granting bail is expected to be uploaded on the court’s official website in due course.
Faizi had approached the High Court through his advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, challenging the earlier rejection of his bail plea by a special court at Patiala House.
Earlier Rejection by Trial Court
On August 28, 2025, the Patiala House Court had refused bail to Faizi in the case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The special court had examined the material placed on record by the investigating agency before arriving at its decision.
In its earlier order, the trial court observed that Faizi had not responded to summons issued by the ED during the course of the investigation. Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh had noted that such conduct indicated an attempt to evade legal proceedings, raising concerns about the possibility of him not cooperating if released.
The court also pointed to his position as the head of a political party, observing that such a role could potentially enable him to influence individuals connected to the case.
Allegations of Financial Links With PFI
According to the ED, the case revolves around alleged financial transactions between the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and the SDPI. Investigators have claimed that funds were transferred from PFI accounts to entities linked with SDPI.
The agency has further alleged that Faizi had been associated with PFI since its formation and later established SDPI in 2009. In a supplementary prosecution complaint filed before the court, SDPI has also been named as an accused entity.
During the earlier bail proceedings, the trial court had taken note of the ED’s contention that provisions under Section 70 of the PMLA could apply, given Faizi’s leadership position within the organisation. The court had observed that, as president, he held responsibility for the conduct of the party’s affairs.
Defence Arguments and Court Observations
Faizi’s legal team had argued that he had no direct involvement in the alleged offences. However, the trial court noted that the order taking cognisance of the charges and summoning him had not been challenged at that stage.
The defence had also disputed the ED’s claim that PFI exercised influence over SDPI’s decisions. The court, however, referred to details cited in the supplementary complaint, which mentioned the existence of various units and organisational structures connected to SDPI.
Arrest and Investigation Background
The ED arrested Faizi in March last year at Indira Gandhi International Airport while he was travelling from Kochi to Delhi. His arrest followed an ongoing investigation into suspected financial transactions linked to PFI.
While opposing bail earlier, the ED referred to a separate case registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad in February 2021 against two alleged PFI members. The agency cited the recovery of explosive devices and firearms in that case as part of its broader submissions regarding the organisation’s activities.
Investigators have also claimed that between January 2018 and January 2021, Faizi received ₹3.50 lakh in two bank accounts from various PFI-linked accounts. The agency has alleged that these funds were intended for training activities related to the organisation’s cadre.
PFI was declared an unlawful association by the central government on September 28, 2022. The ED has described SDPI as a political front linked to the banned organisation, an allegation that has been contested by the defence.
With the High Court now granting bail, the case will proceed as per the scheduled trial process, and further details are expected once the court’s detailed order becomes available.