Bahubali Shah, one of the key owners of the popular Gujarati newspaper Gujarat Samachar, got interim bail just a day after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Ahmedabad Sessions Court gave this decision on health grounds, saying that Shah is not in a condition to stay in custody right now.
What Happened to Bahubali Shah?
Shah, who is 73 years old, was taken to a government hospital right after his arrest. Later, he was shifted to a private hospital ICU due to his serious health issues.
His medical report said he is suffering from:
- Vertigo (severe dizziness)
- Brain-related complication (Left paramedian infarct)
- Blurry vision and drowsiness
Due to this, the court decided that keeping him in custody might be dangerous.
What Did the Court Decide?
The court gave him interim bail till May 31, and asked him to:
- Submit a personal bond and surety of 10,000
- Update the ED about his health every alternate day
- Cooperate with the investigation, depending on his medical condition
Interestingly, the ED did not oppose the bail. They agreed to it on “humanitarian grounds”.
Who Is Bahubali Shah?
Bahubali Shah is a director at Lok Prakashan Limited, the company that owns Gujarat Samachar. His elder brother, Shreyansh Shah, is the Managing Editor of the paper and also runs the GSTV news channel.
Just before his arrest, the ED had raided GSTV’s office in Ahmedabad, and before that, the Income Tax department had already conducted a 36-hour-long search there.
Political and Media Reactions
Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani has accused the government of targeting Gujarat Samachar because of its critical reporting. He said the paper has been publishing uncomfortable truths about the central government for 25 years, and now they are being harassed.
Several media organizations in Delhi like the Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, and others have also raised concerns. In a joint statement, they said this was a threat to press freedom and democracy in India.
Final Thoughts
The case has caught national attention. While Bahubali Shah recovers in the hospital, all eyes are on the ED and what steps they’ll take next. For now, the court has allowed him to stay out of jail temporarily but the investigation is far from over.
