NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal seeks release on health grounds

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal, arrested for alleged money laundering, on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that he is suffering from a critical heart ailment and sought bail for treatment.

Bhujbal approached the HC seeking to be released on bail considering his medical condition after a special PMLA court rejected his bail plea.

Senior counsel Amit Desai, appearing for Bhujbal, argued that the 69-year-old NCP leader was suffering from a terminal illness which needs immediate and a specific line of treatment.

"His (Bhujbal) health condition is critical and needs to be dealt with at the earliest. He is suffering from a terminal illness," Desai said.

He added that since past 25 years Bhujbal has also been suffering from various other ailments like diabetes, bronchal asthma, hyper-tension and has also undergone surgeries for heart ailments.

The senior counsel said the prosecution cannot claim that the medical documents submitted by the applicant (Bhujbal) are fake or fabricated just for the purpose of securing bail as the former minister has undergone treatment from leading doctors in the city.

Justice PN Deshmukh will continue hearing the arguments on June 16.

Bhujbal, who was arrested on March 14 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged money laundering, was admitted to the St George hospital here on March 18 after he fell sick in Arthur Road prison. He was discharged after a week.