Sri Vijaya Puram, October 9: The Special Court hearing the Enforcement Directorate’s money-laundering case has permitted former Member of Parliament Kuldeep Rai Sharma to be shifted to Kolkata for specialised medical treatment, citing serious health concerns and the need for advanced medical facilities. The court has directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide round-the-clock supervision during the treatment, with the cost of medical care and air travel to be borne by Sharma.
The order, passed on October 9 in C.R. Case No. 01 of 2025, disposes of Sharma’s interim bail petition on medical grounds without granting him bail. The Special Judge permitted the Superintendent of the District Correctional Home at Prothrapur and Sharma’s family members to arrange his transfer to S.S.K.M. Hospital in Kolkata, preferably, or Apollo Hospital, Kolkata, or an equivalent medical institution equipped to provide the required treatment.
The decision followed the receipt of a medical report from the Medical Superintendent of G.B. Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram, which advised urgent specialist evaluation in view of Sharma’s health condition and associated medical concerns.
According to the report considered by the court, Sharma requires comprehensive evaluation and management at a facility equipped with advanced medical specialities and intervention services. Taking note of the medical assessment, the Special Judge considered it necessary to facilitate his transfer to a suitably equipped hospital for treatment.
The court directed the ED to deploy its personnel and guards to maintain round-the-clock watch over Sharma during the treatment period. The expenses for medical care and airfare will be borne by Sharma himself.
Medical Grounds for Relief
Sharma’s counsel, Mohd. Tabraiz, told the court that the bail application filed on October 7 was based exclusively on medical grounds. The defence submitted that Sharma was suffering from multiple health complications, that his condition had deteriorated and that he required urgent treatment beyond the facilities available in the islands.
The counsel argued that the medical infrastructure available locally was insufficient to address Sharma’s treatment requirements and that he needed to be shifted to the mainland. The defence also reserved the right to seek bail on merits or on the ground of prolonged pre-trial detention in the future, should circumstances warrant such an application.
To support the plea, the defence cited decisions of the Delhi High Court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court concerning interim bail on medical grounds in cases involving stringent statutory restrictions. The arguments emphasised that statutory restrictions on bail should not prevent courts from ensuring access to essential medical treatment when an accused’s health requires intervention.
ED Opposed Bail, Offered Support for Treatment
The Enforcement Directorate opposed the bail application, citing the nature and gravity of the alleged offence, the amount involved and previous rejection of Sharma’s bail pleas. The agency argued that the Calcutta High Court’s September 22 order had not indicated that interim bail should be granted on medical grounds.
The ED submitted that the earlier order allowed Sharma to approach the trial court for necessary directions concerning medical treatment if his health deteriorated. It proposed that he be shifted to S.S.K.M. Hospital or Apollo Hospital in Kolkata at his own expense and assured the court that it would provide the necessary logistical support.
After considering both sides and the medical report, the Special Judge permitted the transfer for treatment rather than granting the requested interim bail. The order directs that the expenses for treatment and airfare be borne by Sharma.
Background to the Bail Proceedings
The latest order follows earlier proceedings in which Sharma withdrew a bail plea before the Calcutta High Court, with liberty to renew his application after the ED filed its supplementary prosecution complaint. In its September 22 order, the High Court permitted him to renew his bail request on merits or medical grounds if the supplementary complaint was not filed within 45 days.
The High Court had also allowed him to approach the trial court for medical-treatment directions if his condition deteriorated. The October 9 order addresses that medical concern by authorising transfer to Kolkata under supervision.
The present order does not decide the merits of the money-laundering allegations against Sharma. His bail petition has been disposed of on the terms permitting specialised treatment, while the underlying criminal proceedings continue.
