Folded hands, teary-eyed, and no hope for life – Once a giant in the aviation industry Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, accused in the purported Rs 538 crore fraud case at Canara Bank, expressed deep despair before a special court on Saturday. Goyal, with profound emotion and folded hands, conveyed that he has “lost every hope of life” and suggested that it would be “better if he dies in jail” than enduring his current circumstances.
The septuagenarian, visibly moved, revealed the poignant detail that he sorely misses his wife Anita, who is battling an advanced stage of cancer, as documented in court records.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) took Goyal into custody on September 1 of the previous year in relation to an alleged bank fraud. Presently, he is under judicial custody at Arthur Road jail. Goyal filed a bail application before Special Judge M G Desphande.
During the court session on Saturday, Goyal, with folded hands and “continuous tremors in his whole body,” requested a few minutes for a personal hearing, which the judge granted. According to the court’s ‘roznama’ (record of daily hearings), Goyal conveyed that “his health is very poor and precarious.”
The businessman said that his wife is bedridden and their only daughter too is unwell. The jail staff has their limitations in helping him, said Goyal.
“I heard him patiently and also observed him when he made the submissions as such. I found that his whole body was trembling. He needs assistance even to stand,” the judge noted.
Goyal gestured towards his knees, highlighting their swelling and the accompanying pain that hindered his ability to fold his legs.
During the court proceedings, the Jet Airways founder disclosed that he experiences intense pain during urination, occasionally accompanied by the passage of blood, resulting in sustained discomfort.
He expressed difficulty in obtaining assistance most of the time. Goyal further informed the judge about his weakened state and emphasized that referring him to J J Hospital would be futile. He conveyed his reluctance to endure the challenging and tedious journey from Arthur Road jail to the hospital alongside other inmates, citing the inconvenience it poses to his health.
Goyal also expressed the challenges he faces in accessing timely medical attention, citing persistent long queues at the doctor’s office. He emphasized that after examinations, there is a lack of feasible follow-up, significantly impacting his health.
Goyal went on to share the critical health condition of his wife, Anita, who is currently undergoing treatment for advanced-stage cancer. With tears in his eyes, he lamented that there is no one to care for her, given that his only daughter is also grappling with health issues.
In a heartfelt plea to the court, Goyal requested not to be transferred to J J Hospital, urging instead for permission to remain in jail, contemplating the possibility of passing away there.
Goyal said “he has lost every hope of life and (it’s) better he should die rather than be alive in such a situation”.
He submitted that he would turn 75 and he has no hope for any future. It’s “better if he dies in jail, his destiny would rescue him”, he said.
Goyal also submitted that his health doesn’t permit him to attend the court personally. This time, Goyal said, he insisted that he be produced before the court so that he would be able to submit everything personally. He said he won’t insist on physical appearance any more.
“I have taken note of everything he has submitted and also assured the accused that he will not be left helpless and all possible care of his mental and physical health will be taken with proper treatment,” the judge said after hearing Goyal.
The court instructed his legal representatives to address his health concerns appropriately.
In a bail petition submitted last month, Goyal referenced various health issues such as a heart condition, prostate problems, and orthopedic issues. He asserted that there were substantial grounds to believe in his innocence.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provided a response to his bail plea, and the case is scheduled for further consideration on January 16.
The ED is pursuing a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), originating from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita, and certain former company executives. The allegations involve an alleged fraud of Rs 538 crore at the state-run Canara Bank.
The FIR was filed based on the bank’s complaint, which claimed that it had sanctioned credit and loans amounting to Rs 848.86 crore to Jet Airways (India) Limited, with Rs 538.62 crore outstanding.
With inputs from PTI
