Page 40 - Enforcement Directorate

ED opposed approver's int'l travel before Kejriwal's arrest: Sanjay Singh

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh Sunday alleged that the ED opposed foreign travel of the government witness at whose testimony Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in the excise policy case. Singh questioned the agency's intentions in doing that and cited in support a media report, according to which, the Enforcement Directorate opposed the foreign travel of P Sarath Chandra Reddy, a non-executive director of Hyderabad-based Aurobindo Pharma, in a court three months before Kejriwal's arrest. There was no immediate reaction from the ED against the allegation. "The interesting thing is that ED opposed its approver Sarath Reddy's foreign visit on the ground that he may not return to India to support the case. "How will he come when you have made him write a false statement? Why will he join your investigation? And even if he does, what proof will he give against Kejriwal ji when he does not have any proof?" Singh asked. The Aam Aadmi Party leader, who too is an accused

ED writes to Karnataka Guv, Lokayukta over alleged scam in KOMUL hiring

The Enforcement Directorate has written to the Karnataka governor and the Lokayukta seeking registration of an FIR and independent probe into "systematic rigging" of a 2023 recruitment process in the Kolar-Chikkaballapur District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited (KOMUL) led by a Congress MLA under investigation in a money laundering case. Official sources told PTI that the alleged 'cash-for-jobs' racket was unearthed by the federal agency during searches conducted by it in January against K Y Nanjegowda, a Congress MLA from Malur seat in Kolar district, and his associates. They were raided as part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged illegal allotment of government land worth Rs 150 crore to ineligible persons. The alleged recruitment scam pertains to September, 2023 when KOMUL announced hiring for 81 positions through a written test conducted by the Mangalore University. The recruitment process, as per the ED, comprised a written test (85 per cent weightage)

K Kavitha threatened S C Reddy to pay Rs 25 crore to AAP: CBI tells court

BRS leader K Kavitha had allegedly "threatened" Aurobindo Pharma Promoter Sharath Chandra Reddy to pay Rs 25 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party for five retail zones allotted to his firm under the Delhi government's excise policy, the CBI told Special Court on Friday, while seeking her custody. Kavitha had told Reddy that in case of non-payment of money his business will be harmed in Telangana and Delhi under the Excise policy, the CBI has alleged. Reddy, who was an accused under the PMLA case probed by the Enforcement Directorate, had turned an approver in the case. He has not been charged sheeted by the CBI yet. Seeking custodial interrogation of Kavitha, the CBI told Special Judge Kaveri Baweja that it was on the "insistence and assurance" of Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, that Reddy participated in the liquor business in the national capital. She assured him that she had contacts in the Delhi government and that she would help him in liquor

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Bengal PDS scam: ED attaches assets linked to Jyoti Priya Mallick, 2 others

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached assets worth more than Rs 150 crore linked to former West Bengal food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick and two others in a PDS ration "scam"-related money laundering case. The other two accused are Mallick's alleged aide Bakibur Rahaman and TMC leader Shankar Adhya. All three have been arrested by the federal agency in the case. The attached assets include 48 immovable properties of different persons and entities including Mallick's house in Salt Lake, Bolpur, several other "benami properties" held in the name of his close associates, two hotels of Rahaman in Kolkata and Bengaluru each, bank balance in various accounts and fixed deposits, the ED said in a statement. It is also found that Mallick allegedly "received" some of these immovable properties worth more than crores of rupees as "gifts" in the name of his family members or close associates. Adhya is a TMC leader from Bongaon under North 24 Parganas district of West

AAP's Sisodia moves court seeking interim bail for election campaigning

AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who has been arrested by the CBI and ED in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam case, on Friday moved a court here seeking interim bail for poll campaigning. Special Judge for the CBI and ED, Kaveri Baweja, is likely to take up the application for hearing later in the day. The CBI as well as the ED have alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Delhi excise policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, licence fee was waived or reduced and licences were extended without the competent authority's approval. The beneficiaries allegedly diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection, the probe agencies have alleged. The former deputy chief minister was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023, for his alleged role in the "scam". The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sisodia in a money-laundering case stemm

After ED, CBI arrests BRS leader K Kavitha in Delhi excise policy case

BRS leader K Kavitha is currently in judicial custody, lodged in Tihar Jail

Delhi Waqf Board case: ED moves court for arrest warrant against AAP MLA

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday moved a Delhi court seeking arrest warrant against AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in appointments in the Delhi Waqf Board. Special Judge for CBI and ED, Rakesh Syal, posted the matter for April 18 after the ED sought time to file certain documents in support of the application. "Fresh application for issuance of open ended non-bailable warrant against Amanatullah Khan has been received from the Bail and Filing Section. It be checked and registered as per rules SPP (special public prosecutor) for ED seeks some time to file certain documents in support of the application. Heard. As requested, put up for consideration on April 18, 2024," the judge said. Khan, the Okhla MLA of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was not named as an accused in a recent chargesheet filed by the ED. The ED, however, moved a magisterial court recently seeking prosecution of Khan for allegedly evading agency's summons in

CBI informs court it has questioned BRS leader Kavitha in Delhi excise case

The CBI informed a Delhi court on Wednesday it has questioned BRS leader K Kavitha in Tihar central jail in a corruption case related to the alleged Delhi excise scam. She is under judicial custody in Tihar in a money laundering case linked to the alleged scam. The court had on April 5 allowed the CBI to quiz Kavitha in jail, an order which she has challenged. The CBI informed the special judge for ED and CBI cases, Kaveri Baweja, that it interrogated Kavitha on April 6 following the court's order. The CBI made the submission in response to an application filed by advocate Nitesh Rana, appearing for Kavitha, against the CBI's plea seeking to interrogate her in judicial custody. The CBI told the court that since it has already quizzed Kavitha, it would not file a reply to her application. Rana, however, told the court that he would like to make arguments on Kavitha's application against the CBI's plea. The court posted the matter for further proceedings on April 26. Advocate Rana

BJP members detained amid protest seeking Delhi CM Kejriwal's resignation

AAP leaders, who have maintained that the case against Kejriwal is "fabricated", said he would not resign

Supreme Court stays trial in money laundering case against Santiago Martin

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the proceedings before a special court in a money laundering case against 'lottery king' Santiago Martin. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued notice on a plea by Martin challenging the March 16 order of a special PMLA court in Kerala's Ernakulam dismissing his petition for keeping in abeyance the trial in the money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Senior advocate Aditya Sondhi and advocate Rohini Musa, who appeared for Martin, said that the special court ought to have considered that the trial in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case can commence only after the conclusion of the trial in the predicate case. On March 16, the special court dismissed Martin's application seeking to keep in abeyance the trial in the ED case till the conclusion of trial in the predicate offence, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case related to an alleged lottery scam. In his plea before the top .

AAP supporters worldwide condemn Kejriwal's arrest; observe day of fast

Members and supporters of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) globally have observed a day of protest and fasting in solidarity with party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged money laundering case. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, hours after the high court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency. He is currently lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail. AAP volunteers in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia gathered in front of Indian embassies and popular locations on Monday to protest Kejriwal's arrest and call for his immediate release, a media release said. "Arvind Kejriwal is a symbol of hope for millions of Indians who are fighting for a more just and equitable society," said AAP member Jeswanth Reddy from Los Angeles. "His arrest is an attack on democracy and the right to dissent. We will not be silenced." AAP volunteers in Washington DC

Arrest legal, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to remain in jail: Delhi High Court

Court says material collected by ED reveals CM 'conspired', 'used proceeds of crime'

Delhi HC denies Arvind Kejriwal's plea against arrest, CM to remain in jail

The Delhi High Court stated that the Delhi chief minister "conspired with others" and was "actively involved in using proceeds of crime

ED makes fresh arrest in money laundering case against Hemant Soren

The Enforcement Directorate has made a fresh arrest in connection with its ongoing money laundering investigation against former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, official sources said Tuesday. Mohammed Saddam was lodged in jail as part of an alleged land scam case of Jharkhand and the central agency took his custody under the anti-money laundering law after an application was made to the court, the sources said. This is the third arrest in the case after the 48-year-old Soren and former state government revenue department sub inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad. Saddam is alleged to have "forged" land records related to the 8.86 acre land in Ranchi that the ED has alleged was illegally acquired by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader. Soren was arrested by the ED in January shortly after he resigned as the CM. He is currently lodged at the Birsa Munda jail at Hotwar in Ranchi under judicial custody.

Chhattisgarh liquor scam: SC ruling exposed Centre and ED, claims Baghel

Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel has claimed the Supreme Court's decision in connection with the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh had exposed the Centre for using the Enforcement Directorate to target opposition parties. The apex court on Monday quashed the money laundering case against former IAS officer Anil Tuteja and his son Yash in the alleged Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam, saying there were no proceeds of the crime. In a post on X on Monday, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Baghel said the commitment of agencies like the ED should be towards the Constitution and not any political party. "Shameful political misuse of ED has been proved and the Modi government has been exposed. Today's decision of the Supreme Court has proved that at the behest of BJP, the ED has been conspiring to defame the opposition parties by making every case a case of money laundering," Baghel claimed in the post. The ED registered a case in the alleged liquor scam just before the 2023 assembly po

Drugs money laundering case: ED conducts raids in TN against Jaffer Sadiq

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out raids in multiple cities in Tamil Nadu as part of a drugs trafficking-linked money laundering investigation against former DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq and others, officials said. As many as 25 premises in the state capital Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli are being searched by ED officials, accompanied by an escort of central paramilitary forces, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. The premises of Sadiq, who is also a producer of Tamil films, film director Ameer and some others are being covered, they said. Sadiq, 36, was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) last month for his alleged involvement in the smuggling of about 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine with a street value of more than Rs 2,000 crore. The ED took cognisance of this NCB case and some other FIRs to file the money laundering case against Sadiq and others. The NCB has said that Sadiq's links with Tamil and

AAP govt slams 'total confusion' in L-G's office over transferred subjects

The Delhi government on Monday slammed Lt Governor VK Saxena over a letter he wrote to the MHA in which he accused its ministers of not attending a meeting called by him, and questioned the role of the LG's office in the subjects transferred to the AAP government. The LG Secretariat, in a letter to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), said the Delhi ministers refused to attend a meeting called by Saxena to discuss the functioning of their ministries following the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy and is now lodged in Tihar jail here. In response, the Delhi government hit out at the "total confusion in LG's office regarding his role in the subjects transferred to the elected government of Delhi as per the Constitution of India". In a statement, the Delhi government said, "In the note sent just few days back by LG's ..

Delhi excise policy scam case: BRS leader K Kavitha denied interim bail

A court here on Monday denied interim bail to BRS leader K Kavitha in the Delhi excise policy-related money laundering case. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed the plea, saying the stage was not right to enlarge her on interim bail. Kavitha had approached the court for interim bail, saying her 16-year-old son has exams and needs his mother's "moral and emotional support". The ED had opposed the submission, claiming Kavitha destroyed evidence and influenced witnesses in the case. The agency had alleged that Kavitha is a key member of the "South Group", which has been accused of paying the ruling AAP in Delhi kickbacks of Rs 100 crore in return for a big share of liquor licences in the national capital. Kavitha, 46, was arrested from her Banjara Hills residence on March 15 amid protests by BRS supporters. She was then sent to seven-day ED custody the next day. Her custodial interrogation was later extended by three days. She was sent to 14-day judicial custody last Tuesday.

ED questions Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Amol Kirtikar in 'Khichdi' scam case

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Amol Kirtikar was on Monday questioned for almost eight hours by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged irregularities in the distribution of khichdi by the Mumbai civic body during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kirtikar, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena's nominee from the Mumbai Northwest Lok Sabha constituency, appeared before the agency at its office in south Mumbai at around 11.30 am, an official said. He left the ED office after 7 PM. Earlier in the day, several Shiv Sena (UBT) workers raised slogans against ED outside its office in support of Kirtikar. Kirtikar had failed to appear before the federal anti-money laundering agency on March 27 and sought some time through his lawyer. The money laundering case stems from an FIR of the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW). According to police, alleged irregularities took place while giving contracts by the BMC for providing khichdi' to migrants during the pandemic. The ED in January arre