HC rejects Hasan Ali bail plea in money-laundering case

Bombay High Court today rejected a bail plea by Pune-based businessman Hasan Ali Khan, who is facing charges of money-laundering and stashing huge amounts of black money in foreign banks.
Justice RC Chavan rejected Khan's plea after the prosecution argued that the accused might abscond, tamper with evidence or impede the trial if granted liberty.
He is likely to give a detailed order on Sept. 16.
Khan has been in jail since his arrest in 2011. His bail applications have been rejected earlier by the trial court, high court and Supreme Court.
Khan, accused of holding USD 8 billion in the Union Bank of Switzerland, was arrested in 2011 and his bail plea was rejected in September of that year by Supreme Court.

Another bail plea was rejected in October 2012 by a Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Khan's lawyer Amit Desai argued today that the material before the court against his client did not disclose any connection between the allegations and the proceeds from the crime, as required under PMLA.
Desai also argued that there had been a change in the circumstances after the apex court had turned down his bail plea.
Khan is also facing allegations of obtaining five passports under different names.
He is also under the scanner for alleged terror links, as he is suspected to have laundered money for international arms trader, Adnan Khashoggi.