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ED attaches properties worth Rs 33.65 crore in money laundering case

February 15, 2025, 12:17 am

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached properties worth Rs 33.65 crore in connection with a money laundering case linked to illegal mining. As per the ED, the properties include residential and industrial plots in Panchkula, a flat in Gurugram, two shops in Mohali and Gurugram, residential and business premises in Dhanbad, and two flats in Kolkata and Ranchi. The assets belong to Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal, proprietor of M/s Tirupati Roadways, along with his wife Ravneet Sabharwal and daughter Tripta Sabharwal.

The action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, following an investigation based on an FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (formerly State Vigilance Bureau), Panchkula. The case was filed against M/s Tirupati Roadways, its proprietor, and officials of the Mining & Geology Department, Panchkula, for alleged involvement in illegal mining and corruption.

According to the ED, Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal generated illegal income through criminal activities related to illegal mining and routed these funds through multiple bank accounts. The money was deposited in several accounts belonging to him, his family members, and close associates to hide its origin. Sabharwal allegedly used unrelated individuals for banking transactions to launder the proceeds of crime, which were later used to purchase various properties.

The investigation revealed that Sabharwal tried to project these properties as legitimate assets. The ED is continuing its probe into the case.
ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (formerly known as the State Vigilance Bureau), Panchkula, Haryana, under various sections of IPC, 1860, the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation Act) 1957, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against M/s Tirupati Roadways, its proprietor and officials of the Mining & Geology department, Panchkula, Haryana, and others.

The ED investigation revealed that Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal generated Proceeds of Crime (POC) from criminal activities related to scheduled offences through M/s Tirupati Roadways. As per the investigation, Gurpreet Singh
Sabharwal used several bank accounts belonging to him, his family member, entities owned by him, and his close associates for placement, layering, and integration of POC generated through illegal mining in the mines allotted to M/s Tirupati Roadways. A substantial amount of POC was generated in cash through illegal

Mining by M/s Tirupati Roadways used to be directly deposited in the several bank accounts. Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal used to arrange banking transactions from several unrelated individuals in lieu of POC generated in cash and layered the same through a maze of transactions to conceal the origin of funds layered.

and ultimately transferred to bank accounts of his family members and his related entities. He then acquired several movable and immovable properties from these POCs and projected the same as untainted, revealed the investigation.

Arvind Kejriwal’s Judicial Custody Extended To August 8 In Excise Policy Scam

July 25, 2024, 12:31 pm

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till August 8 in the CBI case regarding the Delhi excise policy scam. This development follows the previous extension, which was set to end today.

Background and Timeline
Kejriwal has been in jail since March 21, facing charges of money laundering under the investigation of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). On May 10, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail for 21 days to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, after which he returned to prison on June 2.

Court Proceedings
In the latest hearing, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody. He appeared via video conferencing from Tihar Jail. The court directed the ED to provide Kejriwal’s counsel and other accused with copies of the supplementary charge sheet.

Supplementary Charge Sheets
On July 9, the court acknowledged the supplementary charge sheet against Kejriwal and AAP, as well as against Vinod Chauhan and Ashish Mathur. This is part of the seventh and eighth supplementary charge sheets in the money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy.

Arrests and Allegations
The ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21. Other individuals arrested in connection with this case include Manish Sisodia, BRS leader K Kavitha, Sanjay Singh, and various businessmen. The ED has alleged that Kejriwal demanded a bribe of Rs. 100 crores, which went to AAP for the Goa election campaign.

Evidence and Opposition to Bail
ASG SV Raju, opposing Kejriwal’s bail plea, cited evidence of Hawala transfers amounting to approximately Rs 45 crore. These transfers are corroborated by call records, data from a Hawala firm in Goa, and witness statements. The ED also presented proof of cash payments made to support the AAP campaign in Goa.

Stay updated with the latest developments in the Delhi excise policy scam case and Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial proceedings.

ED Raids in Four Cities; Seizes Rs 41 Lakh Amid STP Scam Allegations at Delhi Jal Board

July 5, 2024, 3:18 pm

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) disclosed that during a search operation across Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, they seized cash amounting to Rs 41 lakh, along with incriminating documents and digital evidence. These actions were part of their probe into alleged corruption in the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) projects of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), conducted by the agency’s Delhi Zonal Office on July 3.

The ED’s investigation stems from an FIR filed by Delhi’s Anti Corruption Branch against Euroteck Environmental Pvt Ltd and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The case involves alleged irregularities in the awarding of tenders worth Rs 1,943 crore for upgrading and augmenting 10 STPs across Delhi.

According to the ED, the tenders were awarded to three joint venture companies, which allegedly colluded to secure the contracts. The investigation found that the tendering process may have been manipulated to favor these specific entities, resulting in inflated costs and substantial losses to the public funds.

The ED also highlighted discrepancies in the tendering process, including the adoption of restrictive conditions that favored only a few companies and the acceptance of unverified experience certificates from Taiwan. Additionally, it was revealed that the awarded contracts were subsequently subcontracted to Euroteck Environmental Pvt Ltd.

Overall, the ED’s findings suggest serious irregularities in the awarding and execution of these contracts, underscoring the need for thorough investigation and legal action against those responsible.

Vijay Mallya Faces New Warrant in ₹180-Crore Loan Default Case, CBI Issues NBW

July 2, 2024, 10:53 am

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya is facing new legal action from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A special CBI court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him in connection with a ₹180-crore loan default case involving Indian Overseas Bank (IOB). The warrant, issued by Judge SP Naik Nimbalkar on June 29, was detailed in an order released on Monday.

The CBI’s warrant alleges that Mallya, the former promoter of Kingfisher Airlines, caused a wrongful loss of ₹180 crore to the government-run bank by deliberately not repaying the loan.

Currently he is residing in London. Mallya has been declared a fugitive economic offender in a money laundering case under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Indian government is seeking his extradition.

The CBI court’s warrant is linked to a cheating case registered by the central agency concerning loans taken by Kingfisher Airlines between 2007 and 2012. According to the chargesheet, the loan was granted based on an agreement, but Mallya dishonestly intended to cheat by willfully defaulting on repayment, resulting in a wrongful loss of ₹141.91 crore. An additional loss of ₹38.30 crore was incurred due to the conversion of loans into shares.

The CBI’s plea described Vijay Mallya as “a fugitive and an absconder” who continues to reside in England and evade the law in India.

Taking into account the CBI’s submission, the court noted that Mallya has absconded, been declared a fugitive, and has pending NBWs in other cases. Therefore, issuing a summons to him would not serve any purpose.

Former DMK Leader Jaffer Sadiq Arrested by ED in Drug Money Laundering Case

June 28, 2024, 3:40 pm

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former DMK leader Jaffer Sadiq in connection with a money laundering case linked to drug offenses. Sadiq, who was already in Tihar jail under an NDPS case, was arrested on June 26 after being interrogated by ED officials.

The agency intends to seek his remand once he appears in court. Earlier this month, the court permitted ED to question Sadiq in Tihar Jail and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Special NDPS judge Sudhir Kumar Sirohi granted ED permission to examine Sadiq on June 25 and 26, directing the jail authorities to facilitate the process.

Special Public Prosecutor NK Matta, representing ED, requested permission to use laptops and printers during the examination to record statements, citing the recovery of 50kg of Pseudoephedrine.

Previously, on May 1, the court had allowed ED to record statements of Sadiq and four others in Tihar Jail.

ED’s investigation includes raids conducted in Tamil Nadu as part of a probe into drug-related money laundering involving Sadiq, who was earlier arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in an international drug trafficking case.

The ED initiated its case against Sadiq following findings by the NCB linking him to influential individuals and revealing his alleged role in smuggling pseudoephedrine to countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia.

Lucknow: ED Files Prosecution Complaint In Shine City Fraud Case

May 18, 2024, 5:28 pm

The Lucknow zone unit of the Enforcement Directorate has filed a prosecution complaint in connection with the alleged money laundering case of Shine City Fraud.

The PMLA Court in Lucknow received the prosecution’s case on January 23. On May 17, the court acknowledged receipt of the complaint.

“ED, Lucknow filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Lucknow, UP in money laundering case of Shine City Fraud on 23.01.2024. The Hon’ble Court has taken cognizance of the PC on 17.05.2024,” the ED said in a statement.

Three people were taken into custody earlier in April in relation to the Shine City scam, which is thought to have cost close to Rs 1,000 crore. Asif Naseem, Amitabh Kumar Srivastava, and Meera Srivastava were the three accused.

Based on roughly 250 FIRs against Rasheed Naseem and the Shine City Group of Companies that the Uttar Pradesh Police had filed, the ED opened an investigation.

These FIRs claimed that the parties had defrauded the public and investors by collecting a substantial sum of money—roughly Rs 800-1000 crore—in exchange for investments, promising enormous returns. According to an ED investigation, the principal accused and directors of the Shine City group of firms are Asif Naseem, Amitabh Kumar Srivastava, and Meera Srivastava.

They are suspected of luring investors, taking their money, and defrauding them. The agency’s investigation also showed that a number of other businesses under their control and others connected to them received the proceeds of crime.

BLS leader K Kavitha produced before court in Delhi excise policy case

April 12, 2024, 12:20 pm

K Kavitha, the leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), made an appearance in court on Friday morning at Rouse Avenue after being detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in relation to a suspected liquor policy fraud. The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was approached by a spirits businessman from the “South Group” who was looking for support with his business. Kejriwal allegedly promised this support, and the CBI used this evidence to request a five-day jail detention for Kavitha. Significant evidence, the CBI alleged, including statements from people connected to the case and conversations on WhatsApp.

The central probe agency elaborated, stating, “Dinesh Arora, an accused turned approver, confirmed in his statement that Abhishek Boinpally informed about the transfer of Rs 100 crores to Vijay Nair. Statements from Hawala operators corroborate payments totaling Rs 11.9 crores. Chats recovered from Buchibabu indicate her involvement in a partnership with Indospririts. Despite being blacklisted, licenses were allegedly granted to Indospririts due to pressure from accused Manish Sisodia.”

Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, was arrested by the CBI while already in judicial custody for a money laundering case. The CBI arrested her on Thursday for her alleged involvement in the liquor policy scam under sections of criminal conspiracy and falsification of accounts, among others.

Previously, on April 6, Kavitha was examined by the CBI in Tihar Jail in connection with the case. The CBI informed Special Judge Kaveri Baweja that they had already conducted the examination on April 6 and opted not to file any further reply.

The Delhi Court had granted permission on April 5, 2024, for the CBI to examine Kavitha during her judicial custody in Tihar Jail at any time during the ensuing week. Through their application, the CBI sought court authorization to interrogate Kavitha and record her statement regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents related to a land deal allegedly involving a payment of Rs 100 crores to the Aam Aadmi Party in kickbacks.

On Tuesday, the Rouse Avenue Court remanded K Kavitha to judicial custody until April 23, 2024. This came after her recent arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy.

CM Kejriwal approaches SC after Delhi HC’s verdict in Liquor policy case

April 10, 2024, 9:42 am

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has petitioned the Supreme Court one day after the Delhi High Court rejected his request challenging his arrest in the liquor policy case. The lawyer for the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party plans to present the case to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud at around 10:30 am, requesting an expedited hearing.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected the petition of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in which he had challenged the trial court’s order of his arrest and custody by the ED. Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma took note of ED’s argument that there was enough evidence to arrest Kejriwal.

The court said, “The files and evidence placed before us show that the ED has followed the law. The order of the trial court is not a two-line order. The ED has the hawala dealers’ as well as the AAP candidates’ details and statements who were involved in the Goa elections. Last week, ED had filed its counter affidavit on Kejriwal’s petition.”

ED had arrested Delhi CM on March 21 following Kejriwal’s continuous disapproval of summons sent by ED. The AAP leader had repeatedly escaped summonses in connection with the money laundering issue. Later ED presented evidences in the court that mentioned the charge that Mr. Kejriwal was actively involved in the use and concealment of purported profits of crime.

PMLA court acknowledges ED’s prosecution complaint against incarcerated Hemant Soren

April 4, 2024, 12:10 pm

The Special PMLA court in Ranchi has taken note of a prosecution complaint filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Saturday against incarcerated Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and former chief minister, Hemant Soren, regarding a money laundering case associated with a land ‘scam’.

The extensive complaint, spanning 5,500 pages, was presented before a special PMLA court in Ranchi on Saturday. Additionally, the central investigative agency has seized 8.5 acres of land linked to the ‘scam’ case.

Soren was apprehended on January 31 and is presently detained at the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar, Ranchi. His judicial custody was extended until April 4 by the PMLA court on March 21.

On February 29, The Jharkhand High Court rejected a plea filed by the former CM, seeking permission to attend the budget session of the state assembly.

Previously, the ED asserted that it had discovered cash exceeding Rs 36 lakh in possession of the JMM leader, along with documents related to the investigation into the purported acquisition of land through ‘fraudulent means’. The agency further stated that parcels of land spanning 8.5 acres were part of the alleged criminal proceeds acquired by the former CM.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s wife to issue press statement today

March 27, 2024, 10:09 am

The Aam Adami Party announced on Wednesday that Sunita Kejriwal, wife of jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will release a press statement at noon today.

According to sources, Sunita Kejriwal is expected to make significant disclosures.

Earlier on Tuesday evening, Sunita Kejriwal met with the Delhi Chief Minister at the office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering investigation and was remanded to the ED till March 28.

The case involves alleged irregularities and money laundering related to the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was subsequently annulled.

The case originated from a report submitted by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena in July 2022, highlighting purported procedural lapses in the policy’s formulation.

The report cited “arbitrary and unilateral decisions” made by Sisodia, acting as Excise Minister, which allegedly led to “financial losses to the exchequer” amounting to over Rs 580 crore. This report prompted referral to the CBI and subsequently led to Sisodia’s arrest.

Although Kejriwal was not initially named in the FIRs filed by the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise policy case, his name appeared for the first time in the ED’s chargesheet. The agency claimed that he purportedly engaged in a video call with Sameer Mahendru, one of the main accused, and instructed him to continue collaborating with co-accused and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair.

Harak Singh Rawat, Cong. leader summoned By ED

February 24, 2024, 10:29 am

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has summoned Harak Singh Rawat, a former Uttarakhand minister and Congress leader, and others in connection with a money laundering probe.

The ED has requested that the Congress leader come to the agency’s office for questioning on February 29.

Rawat, 63, is a former forest minister of the state who joined the Congress ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand assembly election.

Notably, on February 7, the ED raided Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Delhi, including Rawat’s residence, in connection with the suspected forest fraud.

During his term as state forest minister, Rawat and several of his departmental personnel were allegedly involved in unlawful tree cutting and building in Corbett Park’s Pakhro area as part of the Tiger Safari project.

The Forest Survey of India (FSI) alleged in its study that more than 6,000 trees were illegally chopped in the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) despite 163 permissions for the Pakhru Tiger Safari.

However, the state forest department denied the FSI’s assertions, stating that some technical difficulties needed to be addressed before accepting the report.

Previously, the Uttarakhand Vigilance Team searched an institute in Dehradun’s Shankarpur and a petrol pump in Chhiddarwala, both linked to Harak Singh Rawat.

Section 174 Filed Against Kejriwal After He Skips Summons

February 19, 2024, 12:24 pm

Hours after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal skipped the Enforcement Directorate’s summons for the sixth time, sources said that the agency claimed that the court had taken cognizance of a complaint filed by a probe agency under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader.
Section 174 refers to not obeying a legal order to attend a certain place in person or by an agent.

According to sources, the complaint was filed against Kejriwal for purposefully violating the first three summons issued to him.
According to agency sources, the court has taken cognizance of the matter and has tentatively acknowledged that Kejriwal committed an offense for which he may face prosecution.

They went on to say that the matter before the court is not about the legitimacy of the summons but about Kejriwal’s criminal act of knowingly violating the three summons.
Earlier in the day, party sources stated that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not appear before the ED for interrogation in connection with an excise policy case involving money laundering.

The AAP labelled the ED summons as ‘illegal’, claiming that the validity of the summons is now being litigated in court.

“ED itself has gone to court. Instead of sending summons again and again, ED should wait for the court’s decision,” a party source said.

On February 2, Kejriwal ignored the ED’s summons for the fifth time in connection with the money laundering investigation into irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 case.
On February 17, Kejriwal appeared in Rouse Avenue Court via video conference following the ED’s complaint about his purported noncompliance with its summons.

Kejriwal, while appearing virtually, informed the court that he wished to attend the court proceedings in person, but was unable to do so due to the confidence motion and budget sessions.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra granted Kejriwal’s exemption plea on Saturday and scheduled his physical appearance in court for March 16, 2024.

The ED has filed a new complaint case under Sections 190 (1)(a) and 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 63 (4) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for non-attendance in compliance of Section 50 of PMLA.

According to the ED, the agency intended to record Kejriwal’s statement in the case about policy formation, discussions held before it was finalized, and charges of bribery.

The ED alleged in its sixth charge sheet filed in the case on December 2, 2023, citing AAP leader Sanjay Singh and his aide Sarvesh Mishra, that the AAP used kickbacks worth Rs 45 crore generated under the scheme as part of their Goa assembly election campaign in 2022.

ED summons Skipped By Arvind Kejriwal

February 19, 2024, 10:45 am

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, would not appear before the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) for interrogation in connection with an excise policy issue relating to money laundering, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) officials said Monday.
The AAP termed the ED summons as ‘illegal’, claiming that the validity of the summons is now being litigated in court.

“ED itself has gone to court. Instead of sending summons again and again, ED should wait for the court’s decision,” a party source said.

On February 2, Kejriwal skipped the ED’s summons for the fifth time in connection with the money laundering investigation into irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 case.
On February 17, Kejriwal appeared in Rouse Avenue Court via video conference following the ED’s complaint about his purported noncompliance with its summons.

Kejriwal, while appearing virtually, said the court that he wished to attend the court proceedings in person, but was unable to do so due to the confidence motion and budget sessions.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra granted Kejriwal’s exemption plea on Saturday and scheduled his physical appearance in court for March 16, 2024.

According to the ED, the agency intended to record Kejriwal’s statement in the case about policy formation, discussions held before it was finalized, and charges of bribery.
The ED alleged in its sixth charge sheet filed in the case on December 2, 2023, citing AAP leader Sanjay Singh and his aide Sarvesh Mishra, that the AAP used kickbacks worth Rs 45 crore generated under the scheme as part of their Goa assembly election campaign in 2022.

The excise policy attempted to revitalize the city’s struggling liquor industry by substituting a sales-volume-based system with a license charge for merchants. It promised swankier stores and an improved shopping experience. For the first time in Delhi, the policy included discounts and special offers on booze purchases.

Two prominent AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are already in judicial detention in the case.
The CBI arrested Sisodia, the then Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister, on February 26 after multiple rounds of questioning. On October 5, the ED arrested Singh, a Rajya Sabha member.

Champai Soren takes oath as Jharkhand’s Next CM

February 2, 2024, 12:45 pm

Champai Soren, a seasoned leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was sworn in today as the new Chief Minister of Jharkhand. The 67-year-old assumed office more than 24 hours after his predecessor, Hemant Soren, was arrested in connection with an alleged money laundering case. Governor CP Radhakrishnan’s decision to invite Champai Soren for the oath came after the latter’s plea during a meeting earlier in the day.

In a letter to the Governor, Champai Soren highlighted the absence of a government for 18 hours, expressing concern about the confusion. He urged the constitutional head to take prompt steps for the formation of a popular government.

The delay in the Governor’s decision, coupled with a narrow majority, led to concerns within the ruling alliance about possible defections to the opposition BJP through an “Operation Lotus.” However, inclement weather prevented the MLAs from traveling to Telangana, and they were subsequently accommodated in a government guest house.

Following these developments, Champai Soren received a call from the Governor, prompting the swearing-in ceremony. The ruling alliance, comprising JMM, Congress, and RJD, has 47 MLAs in the 81-member house, with 43 currently supporting Champai Soren. The BJP holds 25 seats, AJSU has three, and the remaining seats are divided among NCP, a Left party (one each), and three independent MLAs.

Security tightened outside Delhi CM’s residence amid AAP’s allegations of possible arrest

January 4, 2024, 10:39 am

After Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers claimed, citing unidentified inputs, that the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is likely to arrest the AAP convener today, security was stepped up outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s home on Thursday morning. These accusations follow the Delhi Chief Minister’s failure to appear for his third summons from the ED on Wednesday. On December 22, 2018, the Enforcement Department (ED) sent CM Kejriwal a third summons in relation to the Delhi liquor scam case, requesting that he appear before the agency on January 3.

Taking to the social media platform X, AAP leader and Delhi’s Law and PWD Minister, Atishi on Wednesday, said, “News coming in that ED is going to raid@ArvindKejriwal’s residence tomorrow morning. Arrest likely.”
Minutes after Atishi’s post, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also posted on X, claiming speculations about Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED.
“It is heard that tomorrow morning, ED is going to reach the house of Chief Minister Kejriwal and arrest him,” Bharadwaj said in his post.
Kejriwal, in his reply to the ED, expressed his readiness to cooperate with the investigation but declined to appear on the summoned date, calling the notice “illegal.” Kejriwal further questioned agency for not responding to his earlier replies when the summons was sent to him and he had raised certain queries on the nature of the agency’s investigation.
In his written reply to the ED the Delhi CM said “As a premier investigating agency the non-disclosure and non-response approach adopted by you cannot sustain the test of law, equity or justice. Your obstinacy tantamount to assuming the role of judge, jury and executioner at the same time which is not acceptable in our country governed by the rule of law.”

Delhi High Court Issues Notice on Jacqueline Fernandez’s Plea in Money Laundering Case

December 21, 2023, 3:54 pm

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) following Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea seeking the quashing of the ECIR (FIR) and supplementary chargesheet filed in a Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The court fixed January 29, 2024, for further hearings after hearing arguments.

During the proceedings, the ED objected to Jacqueline’s plea, claiming that she continued to accept gifts from Sukesh despite knowing about his criminal history. Senior advocate Siddharth Aggarwal argued that the petition is an attempt to stall proceedings, citing Sukesh’s current imprisonment and involvement in extortion and fraud. Aggarwal emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that the trial cannot begin until it is completed.

In her plea, Jacqueline claimed to be an innocent victim of Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s targeted attack, asserting that the evidence presented by the ED would support her innocence. She argued that there is no indication of her involvement in aiding Sukesh in money laundering offenses. Additionally, she accused the ED of conducting a biased investigation by not arraigning other individuals, such as Nora Fatehi, who received gifts from Sukesh.

Jacqueline’s plea questioned the ED’s inconsistent approach, alleging a malafide investigation against her. She contended that the ED’s case relied on a single news article shared with her, which was published in 2020, over a year before the FIR in the predicate offense was registered. The article contained no information about the scheduled offense, making it impossible to attribute knowledge of the crime to Jacqueline based on that article.

The actor is being investigated by the ED in connection with the Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Jacqueline Fernandez, a Sri Lankan national residing in India since 2009, emphasized her compliance with legal procedures and expressed readiness to abide by any conditions imposed by the court.

The ED case stems from an FIR filed by Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing against Sukesh Chandrashekhar, accused of cheating and extorting Aditi Singh, the wife of former Religare Enterprises promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh. The case involves allegations of impersonation and financial misappropriation, with Chandrashekhar and his associates reportedly duping individuals by posing as government officials. Both Sukesh Chandrashekhar and his wife, Leena Maria Paul, were arrested in September last year for their roles in the case.

Sand mining case: Madras HC stays ED’s summons to five district collectors in Tamil Nadu

November 28, 2023, 5:12 pm

The summons that the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) had sent to five District Collectors in Tamil Nadu on November 17 in connection with the alleged money laundering case involving sand mining was stayed by the Madras High Court on Tuesday.

DMK leader further stated Enforcement Directorate should have informed the state government before initiating any action in the sand mining case.
“If at all ED wanted to summon these Collectors, they should have asked for information under Section 54 – they cannot treat them as accused persons or witnesses,” he said.
Stating that the actions by the ED were against the federalism principles, the DMK leader said,” If it came across irregularities happening, ED should have informed the State Government under Sec 66 of the PMLA. Rather, the ED is investigating by itself. Finding truth in our arguments the Court stayed the summons issued.”

The court has given the ED permission to look into the matter more. Ten district collectors were previously called by the central agency as part of its investigation into the purported irregularities in the Tamil Nadu sand mining case. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the central agency is looking into “illegal” sand mining. It has told the court that it has reliable scientific evidence.

ED conducts raid at premises of Congress leader Manjunath Gowda

October 5, 2023, 12:34 pm

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) raided the home of Congress lawmaker and Shivamogga District Cooperative Central (DCC) Bank chairman RM Manjunath Gowda on Thursday as part of its probe into an alleged fake gold scam at the bank.
ED agents have raided Gowda’s home in Sharavathi Nagar, Shivamogga, and his farm near Karakuchi in the district’s Tirthahalli taluk. The raids are still taking place.

Previously, the ED had requested certain papers from the Shivamogga DCC Bank. On September 28, Gowda, the State Coordinator of the KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) Cooperative Division, was chosen chairman of Shivamogga DCC Bank. He has held this position since 1997.