Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal seeks interim bail for treatment of ‘slowly growing cancer’

The plea said that based on the findings, it is necessary that Goyal undergo a PET scan to determine the stage of the cancer, based on which doctors will be able to decide the course of treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy.

The petition states that the doctors have advised aggressive and immediate treatment to prevent any fatal complications arising in the applicant’s case.

Special Public Prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves submitted that a medical board of JJ Hospital be constituted as directed by the ED and Goyal’s medical papers be sent to it for opinion, after which the ED will submit its reply with more clarity.

Gonsalves said that they (ED) are not experts to directly rely on the various test results and medical papers attached with Goyal’s application and give opinion and file the reply accordingly.

Goyal’s lawyer said he had no objection but said the medical board should be constituted as soon as possible so that the time taken in the process does not affect the health of the accused.

After hearing both the sides, the court said that the Dean of JJ Hospital is requested to constitute a medical board as requested by the ED and conduct a thorough examination of Goyal.

The judge said, the medical board should give its clear opinion to the court by February 20.

The court said the board will ascertain the illness and inform whether the proposed treatment is available at JJ Hospital on the basis of Goyal’s medical papers.

Goyal was arrested by the ED in September 2023 amid claims that he had committed money laundering and misappropriation of a loan of Rs 538.62 crore given to Jet Airways by Canara Bank.

The money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita and some former officials of the now-defunct airline in connection with an alleged bank fraud.