New Delhi, Dec 16: The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim bail to senior journalist Mahesh Langa in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) while directing a special court in Ahmedabad to conduct the trial on a day to day basis.
The case pertains to alleged financial irregularities amounting to about Rs 7 crore, with predicate offences including Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud, extortion, cheating and criminal breach of trust. Langa was arrested by the Gujarat Police in October 2024 in a GST fraud case, following which the ED initiated proceedings under the PMLA based on multiple FIRs.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi rdered the special PMLA court to examine all nine remaining witnesses without granting adjournments, even though quashing proceedings are pending before the Gujarat High Court.
“The special court is directed to take up the case on a day-to-day basis for recording the statements of all the nine witnesses” the Bench said.
As a condition for granting interim bail, the apex court restrained Langa from writing or publishing anything, in his capacity as a journalist, concerning the allegations which are sub judice. The court cautioned that any violation of the bail conditions could lead to cancellation of bail.
“Let him not misuse his position as a journalist” the Chief Justice observed during the hearing.
The Bench also clarified that if there is any breach of the court’s directions, it may consider cancelling the interim relief granted to the journalist.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Langa, questioned the magnitude of the alleged fraud and the prolonged incarceration of his client. “They say 68 crores fraud and it is not even 68 lakhs” Sibal submitted, adding “Saying I am influencing witnesses is shocking… Since October 2024 I am inside for what offence? It’s not murder!”
Sibal also alleged that journalists were being targeted, remarking, “Industrialists targeting journalists…!”
Opposing the bail plea, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, said extortion by a journalist was a serious offence. “A journalist is found to be extorting money… They say if you don’t pay, I will print something,” he argued, while asserting that there was “no political agenda” behind the prosecution.
An exchange of words followed between the two senior advocates, with Sibal retorting, “Are you saying we are not professionals?”
The Gujarat High Court had earlier rejected Langa’s bail plea on July 31 prompting him to approach the Supreme Court.
The apex court has listed the matter for further hearing on January 6, 2026 and directed the ED to file a status report on compliance with the bail conditions.
