Jet Airways Founder Naresh Goyal Seeks Interim Bail for Cancer Treatment

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 16th Feb. Naresh Goyal, the founder of Jet Airways and an accused in a money laundering case, petitioned a special court on Thursday for interim bail to undergo treatment for malignancy. The court has directed the formation of a medical board to assess his medical reports, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) given time to respond to his plea.

Last month, a special judge for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), M G Deshpande, permitted Naresh Goyal to undergo medical examinations by private doctors. In his plea for interim bail, Goyal revealed that malignancy was detected during these tests conducted by private physicians.

According to medical records submitted with the plea, Goyal has been diagnosed with small tumours in his intestine, known as ‘Neuro Endocrine Tumours’, along with hiatus hernia and severe reflux oesophagitis. Additionally, a pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus was identified.

Goyal’s application stated that his biopsy results are pending, and it is crucial for him to undergo a PET scan to determine the stage of malignancy and the appropriate course of treatment, which may include surgery or chemotherapy.

Special public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves proposed the formation of a medical board from J J Hospital to review Goyal’s medical papers and provide an opinion, to which Goyal’s lawyer raised no objection but emphasized the need for expedited proceedings due to the urgency of Goyal’s health condition.

After considering both arguments, the court directed the dean of JJ Hospital to establish a medical board to conduct a thorough examination of Naresh Goyal and submit their opinion by February 20. The board is tasked with assessing the severity of Goyal’s illness and determining if the proposed treatment is available at JJ Hospital.

Naresh Goyal, aged 74, was arrested by the ED in September 2023 on charges of money laundering and misappropriation of loans amounting to ₹538.62 crore obtained by Jet Airways from Canara Bank. The case originated from an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Jet Airways, Naresh Goyal, his wife Anita, and former executives of the now-defunct airline regarding alleged bank fraud.