Page 72 - Enforcement Directorate

ED arrests businessman Sujit Patkar in BMC Covid-19 centres' case

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested businessman Sujit Patkar, a friend of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, and another person in connection with a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in setting up of jumbo COVID-19 treatment facilities here, an official said on Thursday. Patkar and his three partners allegedly bagged Mumbai civic body contracts fraudulently for managing COVID-19 field hospitals in the city during the pandemic, officials earlier said. The ED arrested Patkar and doctor Kishore Bisure on Wednesday night after their alleged involvement in the case came to light, an official said. Bisure was the dean of the Dahisar jumbo COVID-19 centre, the official said. Both of them will be produced before a court later in the day, he said. The ED last month conducted raids at 15 locations in Mumbai in connection with the money laundering case against Patkar and others. The raids were conducted at locations of some officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal ...

SC asks ED to hold their hands in C'garh money laundering case for now

The oral remark was passed by the apex court while dealing with various pleas relating to Chhattisgarh liquor irregularities case

38 party NDA, brought to you by ED: AAP's Raghav Chadha takes swipe at BJP

Ahead of the National Democratic Alliance meeting here, the Aam Aadmi Party took potshots at the BJP on Tuesday, alleging that the ruling party's coalition partners have been brought together by the Enforcement Directorate. BJP president J P Nadda on Monday had said that 38 parties have confirmed their participation in the meeting of the NDA and slammed opposition leaders' unity efforts as a "selfish" exercise to protect themselves from action in cases of corruption worth over Rs 20 lakh crore. The NDA meeting is scheduled to be held later in the day. Taking a swipe at the NDA, AAP Rajya Sabha member and national spokesperson Raghav Chadha tweeted, "Thirty-eight party NDA. Brought to you by ED." The NDA meeting comes on a day when a crucial meeting of 26 opposition parties, including Congress, JD (U), AAP, TMC, NCP, SP and DMK, was underway in Bengaluru to formulate a joint strategy to defeat the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor .

ED summons Ponmudi, son to appear today evening in money laundering case

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi and his son who left the Enforcement Directorate office in the wee hours of Tuesday have been summoned to appear this evening in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal sand mining. After almost an overnight enquiry by the ED officials, both Ponmudi and his MP son Gautham Sigamani were allowed to go home at about 3.30 am today and asked to appear before the ED officials at 4 pm today for further enquiry, DMK spokesperson and advocate A Saravanan said. He claimed that the Minister cooperated well with the central agency and wondered the necessity to put a 72-year-old Minister to an overnight ordeal merely for obtaining a statement. Nothing would have happened if the ED officials had asked him to appear in the morning for obtain the statement," he said. The raids were held at the premises of Ponmudy and his son in state capital Chennai and in the minister's stronghold of Villupuram. The ruling DMK dubbed the act

ED raids TN minister K Ponmudy, his MP son, DMK dubs action as 'vendetta'

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday conducted raids at the premises of DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy and his MP son Gautham Sigamani in a money laundering case, official sources said. The raids are being undertaken at the premises of the father-son duo in state capital Chennai and in Villupuram, they said while the ruling DMK dubbed the action 'political vendetta.' Ponmudy is the second Minister in the Chief Minister M K Stalin's Cabinet to face ED raids following Senthil Balaji, who was arrested last month in a cash-for-jobs case following searches. The 72-year old Ponmudy is an MLA from Tirukkoyilur Assembly constituency in Villupuram district while his 49-year old son Sigamani is a Member of Parliament representing the Kallakurichi seat. The money laundering case is linked to alleged irregularities when Ponmudy was the state mining minister (between 2007 and 2011) and there were allegations of violation of quarry licence conditions leading to lo

We have united to defeat BJP: Stalin on Oppn unity meeting; slams ED raid

Speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport before flying to Bengaluru to attend the Opposition meet, CM Stalin said, 'All Opposition parties have united to defeat the BJP-led Central government

Like-minded parties united against Modi govt's 'vendetta politics': Kharge

Condemning the Enforcement Directorate raids at multiple premises of DMK leader K Ponmudy, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said all like-minded parties are united against the "vendetta politics" of the Modi government and shall not be bogged down by these "cowardly tactics to trample upon democracy". The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted raids at multiple premises of Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Ponmudy and his MP son Gautham Sigamani Pon in a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal mining, official sources said. Escorted by armed personnel of the CRPF, the officials of the federal probe agency searched the premises under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In a tweet, Kharge said, "We condemn the ED raids against Tamil Nadu Education Minister, Dr. K. Ponmudy, just before our crucial opposition meeting." This has become Modi government's predictable script in order to intimidate and divide the opposition, h

Enforcement Directorate searches premises linked to TN Minister Ponmudy

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday conducted searches at premises linked to Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister and DMK leader K Ponmudy, the party said and dubbed the action 'political vendetta.' On a day when party president and Chief Minister M K Stalin was scheduled to take part in the Congress-led Opposition meet in Bengaluru, the ED began its searches here and in Villupuram, Ponmudy's home district. Official information related to searches is awaited. "This is political vendetta and aimed at testing the DMK's resolve," party spokesperson A Saravanan told PTI. There has been no action from Central authorities against the AIADMK leaders on graft cases such as the one involving the Gutka scandal, he alleged. The DMK, under the leadership of party president and Chief Minister Stalin, has been playing a pivotal role in taking on the BJP and the ED action is aimed at 'intimidating' the party, he added.

WB teachers' recruitment 'scam': ED attaches assets of expelled TMC workers

Assets worth more than Rs 15 crore of expelled TMC youth wing leaders Kuntal Ghosh and Santanu Banerjee and another person have been attached in connection with a money laundering probe into the alleged West Bengal school teachers' recruitment scam, the ED said on Friday. The attached properties are in the form of bank accounts, shares, mutual funds, residential flats and land, the agency said in a statement. The total value of the provisionally attached assets, seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, is Rs 15.03 crore. They belong to accused persons Ghosh, Banerjee and Ayan Sil who "acted as agents in the illegal collection of money from aspiring candidates for the posts of primary teacher", it alleged. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier arrested the three and Sil is an alleged associate of Banerjee. Former TMC leader and West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee, his alleged associate Arpita Mukherjee, TMC MLA and former president of the West Bengal .

TN Minister Senthil Balaji's ED arrest, judicial custody legal: Madras HC

The Madras High Court on Friday held legal the Enforcement Directorate's arrest of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji and subsequent judicial custody granted by a lower court. Justice C V Karthikeyan, the third judge to hear the matter, following a Division Bench's split verdict on a plea related to the Minister's arrest, held legal the arrest and custody. A Division Bench comprising Justices Nisha Banu and D Bharatha Chakravarthy had pronounced a split verdict on the Habeas Corpus petition filed by Megala, wife of Senthil Balaji. Justice Nisha Banu had held that the ED had no power to seek custody and said the HCP was maintainable. Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy, however, differed. The ED arrested Senthil Balaji last month in the cash-for-jobs scam and he continues to be a Minister without portfolio.

Accountable by extension: Meet Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Director, ED

To this, opposition leader Kapil Sibal had just one question: If who the ED Director is is not important, then why did the government give him a third extension?

Kapil Sibal attacks Amit Shah on 'who is ED director not important' remark

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday took a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks that it is not important who the director of the Enforcement Directorate is, asking why did the government then give a third extension to the probe agency's chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra. Sibal's remarks came a day after the Supreme Court held as "illegal" two successive extensions of one year each granted to Enforcement Directorate chief Mishra, ruling that the Centre's orders were in "breach" of its mandamus in its 2021 verdict that the IRS officer should not be given further term. After the Supreme Court ruling, Shah said who the ED director is not important because whoever assumes this role will take note of the rampant corruption of a cozy club of entitled dynasts who have an anti-development mindset. In a tweet, Sibal said, "Sanjay Mishra (ED) Chief. Supreme Court held extension till November invalid. Amit Shah: 'ED is an institution which rises beyond any one individual...' Then why d

Centre allays concerns of opposition-ruled states over ED-GSTN info sharing

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra on Tuesday allayed concerns of several opposition ruled states on the changes made in the money laundering law stating that the amendments were required to meet the obligations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The FATF is an inter-governmental body which sets standards and develops and promotes policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. India became its member in 2010. Responding to the concerns raised by opposition ruled states like Delhi and Punjab at the GST Council meeting, Malhotra said it was clarified that the changes will empower tax authorities with more information and "I think all of them (state ministers) were quite satisfied with the explanation". The finance ministry, through a notification, brought in an amendment to the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as per which GSTN, which handles the technology backbone of Goods and Services Tax, has been included in the list of entities

CBI, ED directors can have maximum tenure of five years, says SC

The Supreme Court Tuesday upheld the validity of two central laws and the corresponding rules that provide for a maximum tenure of five years for the directors of the CBI and Enforcement Directorate. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol rejected the contention of the petitioners, including some leaders of the Congress and TMC, that the amendments made to the Acts will be used as "carrot and stick" by the government of the day to ensure that the chiefs of the two central probe agencies work according to its wishes. "The challenge to Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Act, 2021 and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Act, 2021 as well as to the Fundamental (Amendment) Rules, 2021 is rejected and the writ petitions are dismissed to that extent," the court ruled. Giving the reasons, the bench said the apex court in its 1997 verdict in the Vineet Narain versus Union of India case had issued a specific order that the CBI director shall have a ...

GST Council: Oppn-ruled states raise concern over ED sharing info with GSTN

Several opposition ruled states expressed concern over Centre's decision to allow enforcement directorate (ED) to share information with GST Network, with finance minister of AAP-ruled Punjab Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday saying it amounts to 'tax terrorism' and scaring small business. The finance ministry, through a notification, brought in an amendment to the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as per which GSTN, which handles the technology backbone of Goods and Services Tax, has been included in the list of entities with which ED will share information. At the 50th GST Council meeting on Tuesday, Aam-Aadmi Party ruled Delhi and Punjab voiced concerns over the notification and demanded a discussion. "A lot of finance ministers raised the issue... Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Rajasthan have voiced their concern and said that it should be discussed in GST Council," Delhi finance ministe

Supreme Court holds third extension of ED director SK Mishra as illegal

The Supreme Court on Tuesday held as illegal the third extension granted to the Enforcement Directorate chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra and curtailed his extended tenure to July 31. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol said in view of the peer review being conducted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) this year and to enable smooth transition, Mishra's tenure will be till July 31. The 1984-batch IRS officer was otherwise to remain in office till November 18, 2023, according to the notification issued by the government. The bench, however, affirmed the amendments of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act to extend the tenure of ED director for a maximum of five years. On May 8, the top court had reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas challenging the third extension of service granted to the Enforcement Directorate chief which was defended by the Centre on grounds of the peer review being conducted by the FATF. Th

With GST being linked to ED, traders paying tax can be arrested: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Tuesday that with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) being linked with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), even those traders paying the tax can be arrested by the federal agency. Kejriwal hoped that people would oppose this development at the GST Council meeting on Tuesday. The government has amended the provisions of the money-laundering law to allow the ED to share information with the GST network. The move would help in the recovery of the GST evaded through money laundering. "A large proportion of traders do not pay GST -- some out of compulsion, some intentionally. A few days ago, the Centre also brought the GST within the purview of the ED. It means that now, if a businessman does not pay the GST, the ED will arrest him directly and bail will not be granted," Kejriwal alleged in a tweet in Hindi. GSTN handles the technology backbone of the indirect-tax regime and is the repository of all GST-related information, including return, t

ED files draft charges against NCP leader Malik; next hearing on July 24

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday submitted draft charges in a court here against former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik in a money laundering case linked to the activities of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aides. Special public prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves filed the draft charges before special judge R N Rokade. Besides Malik, who is in jail, draft charges were filed against three other accused in the case and the matter was adjourned for hearing on July 24. Draft charges are a step towards commencing trial in a criminal case. The court concerned has to hear both sides and decide which of the sections invoked by the investigating agency the accused can be charged with based on prima facie evidence. The court will then read out to the accused the charges he will face during the trial, and once he pleads not guilty, the trial can commence. Malik has sought bail from the Bombay High Court and his plea has been reserved for order. The ...

SC extends Satyendar Jain's bail till July 24 in money laundering case

The Supreme Court on Monday extended till July 24 the interim bail granted to former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain on medical grounds in a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate. A bench of justices A S Bopanna and M M Sundresh directed senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Jain, to submit the medical reports to Additional Solicitor General S V Raju. During the brief hearing, Singhvi submitted that three hospitals have recommended surgery for Jain. The top court on May 26 had granted interim bail to Jain for six weeks on medical grounds, saying a citizen has a right to receive treatment of his choice in a private hospital at his own expense. The ED had arrested Jain on May 30 last year on the charge of laundering money through four companies allegedly linked to him. The agency had arrested Jain in the aftermath of a CBI FIR registered against him in 2017 under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was granted regular bail by the trial court on

SC to hear Sisodia's bail plea in excise scam case filed by CBI, ED

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear the bail pleas of Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia on July 14 in the excise policy scam case probed by the CBI and the money laundering matter arising out of it. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha agreed to hear the matter after senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the former Delhi deputy chief minister, urged the court to take it up for hearing on grounds that his wife was seriously ill and hospitalised. The bench said although the matter is listed for hearing on July 17, it will take it up for hearing on July 14. Last week, Sisodia had moved the top court seeking bail in the CBI and ED cases related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. He has moved the apex court challenging the two orders of the Delhi High Court dismissing his bail petitions in these cases. Sisodia, who also held the excise portfolio among many that he handled as the deputy chief minister of Delhi, was first arrested by