**Madras High Court Grants Conditional Bail to Jaffer Sadiq in Money Laundering Case**
The Madras High Court has granted conditional bail to Jaffer Sadiq, a former DMK functionary, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a significant money laundering case tied to a major drug smuggling operation. Alongside Sadiq, his brother, Mohamed Saleem, was also granted bail by Justice Sunder Mohan, who emphasized that further detention would infringe upon their rights to life and personal liberty as outlined in Article 21 of the Constitution.
Sadiq was apprehended on June 26, 2024, while in judicial custody at Tihar Jail, following his earlier arrest by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in March. The NCB had charged him with involvement in the smuggling of 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine, valued at over Rs 2,000 crore.
In granting bail, the court noted that the investigation by the ED had concluded, the properties allegedly acquired through criminal activities had been attached, and a formal complaint had been filed. Justice Mohan remarked, “Prolonged pre-trial detention is anathema to the Constitution,” highlighting that the trial is unlikely to conclude in the near future due to pending summons and the involvement of multiple accused individuals.
The court imposed strict bail conditions, requiring both Sadiq and Saleem to execute bonds of Rs 5 lakh each, provide two sureties of the same amount, surrender their passports, and appear regularly before the trial court. They are also prohibited from contacting witnesses, tampering with evidence, or changing their mobile numbers without prior notification.
The judge pointed out that there are 20 accused in the case, with 19 witnesses cited by the prosecution. He noted that the alleged offenses date back to 2015, and the petitioners have been in custody since June and August 2024, with the trial still far from completion. Citing a Supreme Court ruling, the judge stated that constitutional courts could relax bail restrictions when there is a clear violation of Article 21.
In summary, the Madras High Court’s decision to grant conditional bail to Jaffer Sadiq and Mohamed Saleem underscores the importance of personal liberty and the need for timely judicial processes in cases involving serious allegations.
**FAQ**
**What were the charges against Jaffer Sadiq?**
Jaffer Sadiq was charged with money laundering linked to a drug smuggling operation involving 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine, valued at over Rs 2,000 crore.
