In Ahmedabad, a city court has granted anticipatory bail to journalist Mahesh Langa, who stands accused of defrauding a businessman of ₹28 lakhs. The case adds another layer to the journalist’s ongoing legal battles, as he remains in custody for a separate GST-related case.
The court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge HG Pandya, cited Langa’s local ties and the unexplained delay in the filing of the complaint as key factors in its decision. The judge noted, “Considering the lack of explanation for the delay in lodging the complaint, the court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail.”
The accusations stem from a complaint by businessman Pranay Shah, who claims Langa promised media influence and connections, allegedly taking large sums of money for facilitating positive coverage and meetings with key figures in the industry. Shah reported transferring ₹28 lakhs to Langa across two transactions earlier this year.
Langa, however, maintains that the payments were legitimate compensation for consultancy services and insists he has evidence to prove his case—evidence currently inaccessible due to police seizure of his mobile phone following his arrest in the GST matter.
In his bail plea, Langa offered to deposit the ₹28 lakhs in question as a gesture of good faith. Despite opposition from the state, which argued that custody was necessary for investigation, the court ruled in Langa’s favor, setting bail conditions that include a ₹15,000 bond and a surety of the same amount.
While this decision provides temporary relief, Langa’s legal troubles are far from over, as he awaits a decision on his bail plea in the GST case that has kept him behind bars.
This development highlights the intertwining complexities of legal disputes and media operations in India’s evolving landscape.
