Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Sukanya Mondal
New Delhi, September 10: The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Sukanya Mondal, daughter of Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal, after 16 months in custody. Sukanya was arrested on April 26, 2023, by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with a money laundering case linked to cattle smuggling at the India-Bangladesh border.
Allegations and Arrest
Sukanya Mondal was accused of laundering approximately Rs. 12 crores through various companies and firms, with the help of her father, who allegedly received bribes from the main accused, Satish Kumar. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna granted her bail, noting that the trial could take a long time due to the voluminous documents involved.
Bail Conditions
Justice Krishna stated that Sukanya, being a woman, is entitled to bail under Proviso to Section 45 of PMLA, 2002. She was granted bail upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 10 Lakh and one surety of the same amount. The court also noted that her father, Anubrata Mondal, was granted bail by the Supreme Court on July 30, 2024.
Legal Arguments
Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa argued that knowledge is essential for an offence under section 3 of PMLA. He also highlighted the discriminatory practices of the ED in arresting accused persons. Sukanya’s bail plea was initially dismissed by the trial court on June 1, 2023, but she approached the High Court for relief.
Health Concerns
It was also argued that Sukanya’s health had deteriorated due to the investigation, and she required surgery. Despite these issues, she joined the investigation and was arrested. Her father, Anubrata Mondal, was also granted bail by the Supreme Court in a related CBI case.
Opposition to Bail
The ED opposed the bail, stating that a significant amount of cash, part of the proceeds of crime, was deposited in multiple bank accounts related to Sukanya and her family. The ED also argued that Sukanya was actively involved in the family business, contrary to her portrayal as a primary school teacher.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a big court in Delhi, India, where important legal cases are decided.
Bail -: Bail is when someone who is in jail is allowed to go home while they wait for their trial, but they must promise to come back to court.
Sukanya Mondal -: Sukanya Mondal is the daughter of Anubrata Mondal, a leader in the Trinamool Congress party.
Money Laundering -: Money laundering is when people try to hide where money really came from, usually because it was earned in illegal ways.
Trinamool Congress -: Trinamool Congress is a political party in India, mostly active in the state of West Bengal.
Anubrata Mondal -: Anubrata Mondal is a leader in the Trinamool Congress party and the father of Sukanya Mondal.
Cattle Smuggling -: Cattle smuggling is when people illegally move cows or other animals across borders to sell them.
Rs. 12 crores -: Rs. 12 crores is a large amount of money in Indian currency, equal to 120 million rupees.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna -: Justice Neena Bansal Krishna is a judge in the Delhi High Court who made the decision to grant bail to Sukanya Mondal.
PMLA, 2002 -: PMLA, 2002 stands for the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, a law in India that helps catch and punish people who hide illegal money.
ED -: ED stands for Enforcement Directorate, a government agency in India that investigates financial crimes like money laundering.
