Naresh Goyal, the originator of Jet Airways and a defendant in a money laundering lawsuit, has submitted a petition to a specialized court in Mumbai, requesting temporary release for the treatment of malignancy. The ailment was unveiled during examinations conducted by private medical practitioners.
An initial directive from the court has been issued to establish a medical board to scrutinize Goyal’s medical reports, while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeks additional time to address his interim bail request.
In the preceding month, M G Deshpande, the special judge overseeing cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), granted Goyal (74) permission to undergo medical evaluations conducted by private physicians.
In the plea filed on Thursday for interim relief, Goyal, the founder of Jet Airways, disclosed that malignancy emerged during the examinations conducted by private practitioners. According to his medical records, Goyal harbors diminutive tumors in his intestine, specifically termed as ‘Neuro Endocrine Tumors,’ a type of slow-growing cancer.
Additionally, he grapples with a hiatus hernia spanning about 35 cm to 40 cm, coupled with severe reflux esophagitis. This medical condition transpires when the upper portion of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Recommendations propose the repositioning of the stomach to mitigate acid reflux through either prolonged medication or surgical intervention.
The medical report further unveiled a brief section of constriction at the confluence of the mid and lower esophagus, indicating Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous state. Goyal’s application indicated that his biopsy underwent histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry.
Given the findings, it is imperative that Goyal undergoes a PET scan to ascertain the malignancy’s stage. This determination will guide medical professionals in establishing the appropriate course of action, encompassing potential surgery and chemotherapy, as outlined in the plea. Medical experts have recommended a swift and assertive approach to preempt any potentially fatal complications in Goyal’s case.
Special public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves proposed the establishment of a medical board at J J Hospital, adhering to ED’s instructions, to review Goyal’s medical documentation and provide an informed opinion. Gonsalves contended that the ED lacks the expertise to directly interpret the diverse test outcomes and medical papers attached to Goyal’s plea.
Goyal’s legal representative voiced no objections but emphasized the urgency of promptly constituting the medical board to mitigate any adverse effects on the defendant’s health due to time constraints. Following deliberation, the court instructed the dean of JJ Hospital to form a medical board, as per the ED’s request, to thoroughly examine Goyal.
The medical board is tasked with presenting its unfiltered opinion to the court by February 20, specifying the nature of the illness and confirming whether the proposed treatment, based on Goyal’s medical documentation, is available at JJ Hospital.
The entrepreneur was apprehended by the ED in September 2023, accused of money laundering and diverting loans totaling Rs 538.62 crore sanctioned to Jet Airways by Canara Bank. The allegations in the money laundering case stem from an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita, and several former executives of the now-defunct airline, linked to alleged bank fraud.