‘Journalist or Extortionist?’: Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Mahesh Langa Despite ED Objections

The Supreme Court on December 15, 2025 granted interim bail to journalist Maheshdan Prabhudan Langa in a money laundering case, even as the Enforcement Directorate strongly opposed any relief and flagged serious allegations of extortion and financial fraud against him.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi, passed the interim order while hearing Langa’s special leave petition challenging the Gujarat High Court’s refusal to grant him bail.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, made sharp submissions questioning Langa’s conduct and credentials as a journalist. Mehta told the Court that Langa was accused of using journalism as a cover to extort money.

“A journalist is extorting money. He says if you don’t pay, I will print something. We want to file an additional counter,” the Solicitor General told the Bench, strongly opposing the grant of bail.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Langa, argued that the investigating agency had no right to object to the bail plea at this stage and pressed for interim relief.

While granting interim bail, the Supreme Court imposed strict conditions on Langa. The Bench directed that he shall not publish any articles as a journalist relating to the case or the allegations against him. The Court made it clear that any violation of the bail conditions could result in cancellation of bail.

The Bench has now listed the matter for further hearing on January 6, 2026. The Enforcement Directorate has been directed to file a status report on Langa’s compliance with the bail conditions. Charges are yet to be framed in the case, in which the ED has named nine witnesses.

Notably, this is not the first time serious allegations have been raised against Langa. He was initially arrested in October 2024 in connection with a GST fraud case. The present money laundering case stems from two FIRs registered by the Ahmedabad police, accusing Langa of fraud, criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and causing wrongful loss of lakhs of rupees to multiple individuals.

The Enforcement Directorate’s case is that the alleged financial offences form the proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

In July 2025, the Gujarat High Court had rejected Langa’s bail plea, holding that granting bail at that stage could prejudice the prosecution. The High Court had taken note of the gravity of allegations and the ongoing investigation.

Last week, while issuing notice on Langa’s bail plea, the Supreme Court Bench had itself made sharp observations about individuals claiming to be journalists. The Court remarked, “What kind of a journalist is he?” It further observed that while there are genuine journalists, there are also people who claim to be ‘patrakar’ while engaging in questionable activities, a reference widely seen as reflecting concern over misuse of the profession.

Langa approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s order, seeking interim protection pending consideration of his bail plea.

The case has drawn attention due to the Court’s remarks on journalistic conduct, the nature of allegations involving extortion and financial fraud, and the imposition of restrictions on professional activity as a condition for bail.

Case Title: Maheshdan Prabhudan Langa vs State of Gujarat

Bench: CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice Vipul Pancholi

Hearing Date: December 15, 2025