India, June 3 -- A special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Monday rejected former Lodha Developers director Rajendra Lodha's plea for interim bail to attend his father's final rites, but permitted him to travel to Rajasthan under police escort to perform the ceremonies.

Special Judge RB Rote allowed Lodha to visit Jaipur and Jodhpur between June 2 and June 5 for the asthi visarjan and other rituals of his father, Narpatmal Lodha, who died on May 22.

Lodha had sought interim bail till June 6 to attend the ceremonies. Opposing the plea, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) argued that the case involved a "serious economic offence" and said there was a risk of the accused absconding or delaying the trial if release...