Journalist Mahesh Langa gets bail in 1 of 5 cases after 3 months
This is the first relief for him in the criminal case against him filed at the DCB police station in Ahmedabad. However, Langa will continue to remain in judicial custody as he is facing another criminal case in Rajkot for GST evasion.
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This is the first relief for Langa in the cases. FileAfter three months, the Gujarat High Court Thursday granted bail to senior journalist Mahesh Langa who was arrested for alleged GST evasion through bogus claims of Input Tax Credit (ITC) worth Rs 6.64 lakh.
This is the first relief for him in the criminal case against him filed at the DCB police station in Ahmedabad. However, Langa will continue to remain in judicial custody as he is facing another criminal case in Rajkot for GST evasion.
“The authorities will release the applicant only if he is not required in connection with any other offence for the time being. If breach of any of the above conditions is committed, the Sessions Judge concerned will be free to issue a warrant or take appropriate action in the matter,” the bail order from Justice MR Mengdey read.
During the bail hearing, Langa’s advocate argued that there was a delay in filing the FIR and that Langa had been in jail in this case since October 8 last year. He also stated that the journalist was running the firm, DA Enterprises, and was willing to pay back the wrongfully availed ITC.
Langa also argued that the FIR was not maintainable since there is a separate mechanism for prosecuting such cases under the GST Act. He also argued that the maximum punishment for the offence under the GST Act is a year’s imprisonment. The arrest was politically motivated as he was a journalist, the counsel added.
The state government and the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence opposed the bail application.
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