A special PMLA court on May 6 rejected actor-producer-businessman Sachin Joshi’s plea to travel abroad for six months, observing that granting of such permission would amount to inviting a flight risk. He is an accused in a money laundering case and was granted bail in March. The court noted that during his incarceration, Sachin had made various attempts to stay out of jail by citing ill-health. When he was in jail, Sachin Joshi had told the court that he had to carry a urine bag, saline and was bedridden.
Referring to his past conduct, the court noted that it prima facie indicated that Joshi always tried to circumvent the legal process. It added, letting Joshi leave the country would frustrate the main object and purpose of the trial, which was safety of the nation’s wealth. The judge remarked, “I, therefore, strongly feel that the intention and bona fide behind this application are not clear. On the contrary, there is risk in allowing such an application authorising and permitting the applicant to flee once and for all from the clutches of criminal trial… There is serious flight risk.”
The Enforcement Directorate opposed Joshi’s plea for travel abroad. He had been arrested by the ED on February 14, 2021. The ED had submitted its chargesheet against Joshi, Omkar Group promoters Babulal Varma, Kamal Kishore Gupta and 14 firms associated with them.