Delhi High Court : Seeks Response on ED Challenge to Manoj Gaur Interim Bail

Delhi High Court : on Friday issued notice on a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioning the interim bail granted to businessman Manoj Gaur, former chairman and managing director of Jaypee Infratech Ltd. The relief had been granted earlier on humanitarian grounds linked to the medical condition of his elderly mother.

Court Issues Notice and Seeks Medical Verification

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani directed that notice be served on Gaur and asked him to file a response to the ED’s challenge. Advocate Dr. Farrukh Khan, appearing for Gaur, accepted the notice on his client’s behalf. The court also instructed the ED to independently verify the current health status of Gaur’s mother, while directing the defence to submit all relevant medical records to the investigating officer.

Next Hearing Scheduled for February

The High Court has listed the matter for further hearing on February 6. The court’s directions aim to assess whether the interim bail, granted primarily on medical grounds, remains justified in light of the prosecution’s objections and the updated medical information.

ED Questions Legal Basis of Interim Bail

Representing the ED, counsel Rahul Tyagi argued that the interim bail was granted during the pendency of a regular bail application without due consideration of the statutory requirements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He submitted that the so-called twin conditions for bail under the law were not examined by the trial court before granting temporary relief.

Allegations of Large-Scale Money Laundering

The ED maintained that the case involves alleged money laundering of approximately Rs. 13,000 crore, affecting nearly 25,000 homebuyers. According to the agency, the trial court overlooked the seriousness of the allegations and failed to consider the prosecution’s offer of custody parole, which would have allowed Gaur to meet his mother without releasing him on bail.

Defence Cites Medical Emergency

Opposing the ED’s submissions, advocate Dr. Farrukh Khan contended that the twin conditions under the PMLA do not apply to interim bail granted on humanitarian grounds. He stated that the agency was fully informed about the medical condition of Gaur’s mother, who is 92 years old, bedridden, and undergoing dialysis. The defence argued that her condition has been deteriorating steadily, making Gaur’s presence necessary.

Trial Court’s Earlier Bail Order

On January 24, the Patiala House Court granted Gaur 14 days of interim bail, citing his mother’s fragile health. Gaur was arrested by the ED in connection with a case registered in 2018 and taken into custody on November 13, 2025. The interim bail was granted on the condition that he furnish two sureties of Rs. 5 lakh each.

Prosecution Opposes Relief on Practical Grounds

During earlier proceedings, Special Public Prosecutor Atul Tripathi opposed the bail plea, arguing that other family members were available to care for Gaur’s mother. He maintained that personal presence of the accused was not indispensable and that custody parole would have sufficed.

Regular Bail Plea Pending Consideration

A separate application seeking regular bail has also been filed and is scheduled for hearing on January 31. In that plea, Gaur has highlighted his age of 61 years and cited a medical history spanning three decades. The petition argues that his continued detention in an eight-year-old case, largely based on documentary evidence, is disproportionate and violates his fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

Background of ED Investigation

The ED’s case relates to alleged diversion of funds collected from homebuyers in various Jaypee Group housing projects. The agency claims that large sums collected for construction were diverted to non-construction purposes and routed through associated entities and trusts. Search operations conducted in May 2025 across multiple cities reportedly led to the seizure of financial and digital records that, according to the ED, indicate a central role played by Gaur in the alleged transactions.