How much time needed to collect evidence: HC

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Enforcement Directorate how much time it would take to collect evidence from Britain in a money-laundering case related to the Rs.3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.

The court was hearing a plea of businessman Gautam Khaitan, an accused in the case.

Justice Sunil Gaur declined to immediately pass any order on the plea of Khaitan who sought release of his passport to visit London to hold meetings with his clients.

"You (ED) have to file response regarding how much time it will take to collect evidence from Britain as you have apprehension on tampering with evidence by petitioner (Khaitan)," court said, posting the matter for April 27.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for ED, told the court that ED was conducting further probe into the money trail and feared Khaitan could tamper with the evidence if he was allowed to go to London.

He said ED has been collecting evidence in the case and two of the key persons related with the case are based in London.

"You (ED) may be collecting evidence, but for that you cannot indefinitely curtail his (Khaitan's) right to travel abroad," said the court.

During the hearing, ASG told the court that Khaitan had bought his air tickets even before taking the requisite court permission. Khaitan was granted bail by a trial court here on January 9 this year, more than three months after ED arrested him. The court had ordered Khaitan to surrender his passport, not to leave the country without prior permission of the court and not to tamper with the evidence in the case.

ED had earlier argued that a total of 70 million Euros (Rs.360 crore) was paid as kickbacks in the deal.

The trial court had earlier taken cognizance of ED's chargesheet filed in the case against five accused, including two Italian nationals -- Gerosa Carlo Valentino Ferdinand and Haschke Guido Ralph.

ED has also named Gautam Khaitan's wife Ritu Khaitan and Chandigarh-based firm Aeromatrix Info Solutions Pvt Ltd as accused in the case.

They were chargesheeted by ED for offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).