For Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain, In Jail Since June, Setback In Court

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain's bail request was rejected by a Delhi court today in an alleged money laundering case.

Besides Mr Jain's plea, the bail applications of two co-accused in the case - Vaibhav Jain and Ankush Jain - were also dismissed by the court.

The 58-year-old Delhi minister was arrested on May 30 by the Enforcement Directorate. The probe agency had initiated the money-laundering investigation in the case on the basis of a First Information Report or FIR registered by the CBI on August 24, 2017.

This is the second time Mr Jain's bail plea has been rejected by the court. Mr Jain's bail plea was rejected in June as well in view of the seriousness of the allegation.

Opposing the bail petition of Mr Jain, the Enforcement Directorate had told the court that Satyendar Jain misled the agency and was non-cooperative.

Earlier this week, the Superintendent of Delhi's Tihar Jail - where Mr Jain has been jailed for more than five months - was suspended for alleged VIP treatment to the minister.

Action was taken after the Enforcement Directorate submitted CCTV footage alleging that Mr Jain was enjoying a luxurious lifestyle in jail and influencing investigations by regularly meeting the co-accused in the case.

The probe agency also alleged that Satyendar Jain's wife Poonam Jain was a frequent visitor to his cell, which is against jail rules.