Shabir Shah Gets Statutory Bail In PMLA Case

New Delhi : Delhi’s Patiala House Court recently granted statutory bail to a known Kashmiri separatist Shabir Ahmad Shah in a money laundering case under PMLA. Despite the grant of bail, he will remain in custody as there are other cases pending against him.
He was arrested in 2017 in this case. He sought statutory bail on the grounds that he has undergone more than half of the maximum sentence for an offence under PMLA.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Dheeraj Mor granted bail to Shabir Ahmad Shah under Section 436 A Cr.PC on furnishing a personal bond of Rs one lakh and one surety bond in the same amount.

While granting bail, the court has imposed several conditions, including that he will not leave the country without the prior permission of the court.
While granting bail, the trial court referred to the judgement of Supreme court in Vijay Madanlal Chaudhary’s case.

this case on July 25, 2024, within one and a half months from today.
The counsels argued that, as per the Vijay Madanlal Chaudhary vs.. Union of India case judgement , for disposal of the present bail application under Section 436A CrPC, the applicant is not required to qualify for the mandatory twin tests contained in Section 45 PMLA.

Advocate N K Matta, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for ED, opposed the plea on the ground that the allegations against him are grave and serious in nature, which entails severe punishment.

It was argued that if released on bail, he may run away from justice, as based upon his previous conduct, there is a propensity that he may flee from the country.

ED’s counsel further contended that the applicant was found involved in the commission of serious crimes and the generation of huge amounts of proceeds from crime from various countries, including Pakistan, to carry out unrest in Kashmir and he was also found involved in terror financing activities. Therefore, if released on bail, he may again indulge in similar criminal activities. (Agencies)