No Investigation In Singapore, Says Chugh Counsel

Speaking to reporters soon after his client was remanded to custody, Roychowdhury pointed out that no investigations have been carried out in Singapore.

The enforcement directorate has not searched the residence and the office premises of the executives of ITC Globals, the Singapore-based subsidiary and no papers have been produced, said Roychowdhury while speaking to reporters after the hearing.

Ajit Panja, representing J N Sapru, had earlier claimed at the hearing that Sapru had not been chairman of the company during what he said was the period under the Enforcement probe.

Roychowdhury also said to reporters that Sapru had not been in charge of the controversial subsidiary ITC Global in a true sense, since the Singapore-based company had its own chief executive.

 

Tapen Roychowdhury, U Mitra and N Ghosh had appeared on behalf of K L Chugh, while Sapru was represented by Ajit Panja and Shehkar Bose.

Both Roychowdhury and Ghosh had based their bail pleas on the poor health of Chugh and Sapru.

Their clients can appeal for bail to the High Court. Such an appeal is expected soon, but the lawyers did not make any specific statement on when they may be lodged.

After the bail plea of Chugh was rejected, Roychowdhury requested permission of the magistrate to interact with his client and to take instructions from his client on the next course of action.

There were no bail pleas on behalf of the four topnotch ITC officials already in custody. G K P Reddy, R K Kutty, M Rao and Ravindra Nath will remain in custody till November 13.

The entire court proceedings lasted about an hour, from 2-30 p.m. till about 3-30. Chugh and Sapru, who had spent last night at the Lalbazar Police Station lock-up, were removed to Presidency Jail in the evening after formalities were over.