The Calcutta High Court on Friday granted interim bail to Subodh Kumar Goel, former chairman of UCO Bank, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in May in connection with a money laundering probe.
The single bench of Justice Suvra Ghosh granted the bail till November 15, considering Goel’s severe health condition. He was taken into custody from his Delhi residence on May 16 for allegedly taking a bribe and “playing a substantial role” in sanctioning loans over Rs 1,460 crore to Concast Steel and Power Ltd (CSPL), which turned into an NPA (non-performing asset).
“The report (of the medical board) demonstrates in no uncertain terms that the petitioner is extremely sick and infirm and requires continuous assistance for all basic activities besides continuous and prolonged medical care. Such care and assistance, in my considered view, is not possible while he is in custody… Without going into the merits of the case, the petitioner may be released on interim bail solely on medical and humanitarian grounds,” the judge said.
Goel had sought bail citing medical conditions and informing the court that he was suffering from spinocerebellar ataxia type 12, a rare genetic neuro-degenerative disorder that has progressively worsened since his diagnosis in 2018.
A medical board comprising five senior doctors from the Bangur Institute of Neurosciences had examined Goel on August 5 following court orders. The board reported that he suffers from severe physical and cognitive disabilities, requires assistance for all basic activities, and needs continuous medical care. He also has diabetes, hypertension, and recurrent syncope, necessitating prolonged medical management.
The ED opposed the bail plea, arguing that the petitioner was receiving appropriate treatment in custody and that his illness, though incurable, was not life-threatening.
Granting interim bail, the court directed Goel to furnish a bond of Rs 10,000 with two sureties, and directed him to remain within its jurisdiction during the period besides informing the address of his residence to the court, the investigating officer and the officer-in-charge of the police station under whose jurisdiction he shall reside.
Goel was also warned against tampering with evidence or intimidating witnesses in any manner. The court directed him to appear before it physically if his health permitted, or appear virtually or through his learned counsel on every date of hearing. He must provide his mobile phone number to the ED and must not change the number without prior intimation.
According to the ED, Goel received illegal gratifications in the form of cash, immovable properties, luxury goods, and services for sanctioning the loans to CSPL. The agency said it conducted searches in the National Capital Region “to investigate the role of various individuals engaged in extorting money from the persons against whom it had initiated investigation”.
During the searches, cash, gold and various incriminating records and digital devices were seized, the ED said, adding that further investigation is on.