Delhi court denies bail to Amit Bapna in Reliance money laundering case

A Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi has dismissed the bail plea of Amit Bapna, an accused in a money laundering investigation involving Reliance Housing Finance Limited (RHFL) and Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL).

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed the bail application, citing serious allegations that Bapna approved loans worth crores to shell entities. Bapna was charge-sheeted by the ED alongside Amitabh Jhunjhunwala and 53 others, including various firms. While Jhunjhunwala has previously been granted bail by the Delhi High Court on medical grounds, Bapna remains in custody.

Defense counsel argued that Bapna was an employee acting under the direct control of Jhunjhunwala and had no personal connection to the alleged crimes or any benefit from the proceeds of crime. However, Special CBI Judge Vishal Pahuja ruled that there were insufficient grounds to grant bail at this stage.