I may contract coronavirus in jail, grant me bail: Yes Bank Founder Rana Kapoor

Mumbai: Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor,currently in judicial custody after arrest on money launderingcharges, moved a bail application on Thursday claiming hisprevailing medical condition puts him at the risk ofcontracting coronavirus in jail.

In the plea filed through his lawyer Subash Jadhav,Kapoor claimed he was sufferinga chronic immunodeficiencysyndrome, which causes recurrent lung, sinus and skininfections.

The 62-year-old banker also claimed to be sufferingfrom severe hypertension, anxiety and depression for the last18 months, which is in large part being treated in hispresence of his family.

This, combined with bronchial asthma since childhood,which still requires inhalers, puts him at high risk of asevere lung infection which can lead to death, the bail pleasaid.

The plea further stated that the present situation ofcoronavirus can lead to severe lung infection and even deathof the applicant as the disease is more like to infect personsabove 60 years ofage, with low immunity and long-standingrespiratory problem.

"It is submitted that the aforesaid disease requiresthe applicant to consume carefully monitored and home cookedfood in order to combat and control the said disease. Theapplicant is also required to stay at home," the plea said.

The PMLA court, before which the plea was filed,posted the matter for hearing on Monday and directed theofficials of Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai, where Kapoor islodged, to submit his medical records.

Kapoor was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate(ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)earlier this month.

According to the ED, loans of Rs 30,000 crore weregiven by Yes Bank when Kapoor was at its helm, and of these,advances of Rs 20,000 crore became bad loans.

The ED has accused that Kapoor, his family members andothers got benefits worth Rs 4,300 crore through companiescontrolled by his family as kickbacks for sanctioning hugeloans.

He is also accused of receiving bribes for going easyon loans given to a few big corporate groups that had turnedinto non-performing assets (NPAs).