A CJI-led Bench of the Supreme Court on Monday granted interim bail to journalist Mahesh Langa in a case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), after a hearing marked by sharp exchanges between the prosecution and the defence.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Langa, submitted that the accused was being targeted for his work as a journalist and emphasised that charges are yet to be framed in the case. He argued that there are only nine witnesses cited by the prosecution and contended that denial of bail at this stage would effectively deprive the accused of his right to defend himself. Sibal also objected to the portrayal of the case as one of extortion, asserting that branding a journalist as having threatened publication to extract money was deeply troubling and unwarranted at the bail stage.

Opposing the plea, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, resisted the grant of bail and maintained that the allegations were serious in nature. The ED reiterated its stand that the case involved elements of extortion, which was strongly contested by the defence.

After hearing both sides, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Mahesh Langa, while clarifying that the relief was interim in nature and that the merits of the allegations would be examined at a later stage. The matter has been listed for further consideration, and the interim bail will remain subject to conditions imposed by the Court.