PMLA: Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal seeks interim bail to treat ‘slow-growing cancer’

Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, an accused in a money laundering case, on Thursday approached a special court here seeking interim bail for treatment of malignancy following a check-up by a private doctor. found in.

The court passed a preliminary order setting up a medical committee to examine Goyal’s medical report while the ED sought time to respond to his interim bail plea.

Last month, special judge MG Deshpande, who was hearing the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), allowed Goyal to undergo medical examination by a private doctor.

Jet Airways founder Goyal said in his plea for interim bail that a malignant tumor was found during an examination by a private doctor.

According to Goyal’s medical records, he had a small tumor called a “neuroendocrine tumor” (slow-growing cancer) in his intestines (a common location for small tumors).

He also suffered from a hiatal hernia of about 35 centimeters to 40 centimeters, along with severe reflux esophagitis, a condition that occurs when the upper part of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm into the chest cavity.

It is recommended to turn the stomach down with long-term medication or surgery to prevent acid reflux.

His report also showed a small segment of stricture at the junction of the middle and lower esophagus, suggesting that Barrett’s esophagus is a precancerous condition. Goyal’s application said his biopsy was sent for histopathological analysis and immunohistochemical analysis.

Based on these findings, Goyal must undergo a PET scan to determine the stage of the malignancy, upon which doctors will be able to determine treatment options, including surgery and chemotherapy, the complaint states.

The complaint added that doctors recommended immediate and aggressive treatment to head off any potentially fatal issues in the applicant’s case.

Special prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves submitted that the JJ Hospital Medical Committee should be constituted as per the ED’s instructions and Goyal’s medical documents should be submitted to the committee for its opinion, after which the ED would submit A clearer answer.

Gonsalves said they (ED) were not experts and could not directly rely on the various test results and medical documents attached to Goyal’s application to give an opinion and respond accordingly.

Goyal’s lawyer said he had no objection but insisted that a medical board must be set up at the earliest so that the time consumed by the process does not affect the health of the accused. After hearing the submissions of both parties, the court said it requested the director of JJ Hospital to form a medical committee as requested by the ED and conduct a thorough examination of Goyal.

The judge said the medical board should convey its candid opinion to the court by February 20.

The court added that the committee should ascertain Goyal’s condition and submit whether the proposed treatment based on Goyal’s medical documents can be obtained at JJ Hospital.

The 74-year-old businessman was arrested in September 2023 by the Education Ministry, which alleged that he laundered and misappropriated loans totaling Rs 538.62 crore from Canara Bank to Jet Airways.

The money laundering case stems from allegations of bank fraud by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita and some former executives of the airline.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)