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Synopsis

A Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court in Mumbai has directed JJ Hospital to constitute a medical board to examine Jet Airways Founder Naresh Goyal after his medical reports revealed malignant tumours in his body.

Special PMLA Judge MG Deshpande directed the hospital to form a medical board and submit its report to the court by February 20th to consider the urgent medical bail plea of Goyal.

Goyal stands accused of money laundering involving a loan of Rs. 7000 crores obtained from Canara Bank. Naresh Goyal is accused of diverting funds borrowed from Canara Bank to his family members in the form of salaries.

The ED initiated proceedings against Goyal based on an FIR filed by the CBI, which was prompted by a complaint lodged by Canara Bank.

The bank's complaint was filed following an external audit conducted for the period spanning 2011 to 2019.

In November 2023, the Bombay High Court rejected habeas corpus petition filed by Jet Airways Founder Naresh Goyal, challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.

Recently, the Special PMLA Court had allowed Goyal to meet his wife and private doctors.  

Naresh Goyal sought bail on medical grounds from the special court after the high court rejected his plea challenging the arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The order of the court constituting the medical board came after Goyal broke down before the court, expressing his despair and requesting the court to let him die.

Senior Advocate Abad Ponda, representing Goyal, informed the court about the malignant tumours discovered in Goyal's body and urged the expeditious formation of a medical board.

The ED sought time to file a reply, indicating it would respond after receiving the medical board's opinion.

Case title: Naresh Goyal vs ED