The North Goa Special PMLA Court has rejected an interim bail application filed by accused Siddique, alias Suleman Khan, in a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case. He had sought permission to visit his two critically ill minor children, who are hospitalized in Karwar. The court dismissed his plea, citing his past history of evading custody. Siddique had sought temporary release or, alternatively, permission to make a three-day visit under police escort to attend to his children. His plea was supported by medical documents indicating that their condition was serious.
Advocate Sahil Sardessai, representing Siddique, argued that the children’s urgent medical condition made their father’s physical presence necessary. Special Public Prosecutor Siddharth Samant strongly opposed the application, submitting that Siddique had previously absconded and evaded police custody.
He said this raised serious concerns about Siddique’s willingness to submit to the process of law. The prosecution also argued that bail in a predicate offence does not automatically entitle an accused to bail in PMLA proceedings, and maintained that humanitarian grounds did not justify the requested travel. Upholding the prosecution’s concerns, the court held that Siddique was not entitled to interim relief or permission to travel under police escort. It cited his past conduct in evading custody and noted that the application had not been signed by the accused or supported by his affidavit.
