Today (4th April) A Delhi court ordered the Enforcement Directorate to provide a copy of the charge sheet to the accused in the DJB money laundering case involving Delhi Jal Board tenders. The accused include DJB’s former chief engineer and a contractor. The ED alleges bribe money was funneled to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faces previous money laundering charges and is presently in judicial custody.
A Delhi court criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for flawed investigation in a money laundering case. The court summoned the Investigating Officer to explain why penal and disciplinary action should not be recommended. Special Judge Farrukh noted the failure to conduct a fair investigation, as crucial evidence was withheld. The court issued notices for the individuals implicated in the illegal activities.
The Delhi High Court has summoned the CPIO of the CBI due to non-compliance with a court order, following a complaint by Sanjiv Chaturvedi. The CIC had directed the CPIO to provide information under the RTI Act, but this was allegedly ignored. Chaturvedi seeks transparency in property transactions and corruption allegations in the government.
19th March (Tuesday): AAP leader Sanjay Singh told the Supreme Court that he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case without prior summons. The court scheduled further hearings for April 2. His legal representative argued that his arrest followed a statement by an ED witness in July 2023 without prior intimation. Singh was earlier detained by the ED on October 4 in connection with the case.
On 16th March (Saturday): The Bombay High Court denied anticipatory bail to P. Kumar, a senior PESO official implicated in a license scam. Investigations uncovered his involvement in expediting an application in exchange for bribes. The CBI’s FIR lists other PESO officials and a private individual as accused parties. Kumar’s plea rejection stemmed from prima facie evidence of corruption.
On Wednesday (13th March): Manish Sisodia’s curative petition for bail was rejected by the Supreme Court on March 13, 2024. The petition stemmed from his alleged involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy Scam. An investigation report highlighted financial irregularities, resulting in a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Sisodia has been in custody since February 26, 2023.
The Supreme Court heard the ED’s petition challenging Tamil Nadu’s lack of cooperation in sharing FIRs for money laundering cases. This includes the Ankit Tiwari bribery case. The court proposed a judicial oversight to address conflicts between central and state agencies. It will address these cases on March 20. There are parallels with disputes in West Bengal.
On 11th March,The Calcutta High Court rebuked the ED and CBI for their lack of decisive action against those involved in the ‘School Jobs for Cash Scam,’ emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation and use of relevant legal provisions. The court urged prompt trials and encouraged potential approvers, setting a deadline for progress in the investigations.
The Bombay High Court declared the arrest of former ICICI Bank MD Chanda Kochhar and her husband by the CBI in a loan fraud case as an “abuse of power.” Emphasizing lack of justification and citing the right to silence, the court highlighted the procedural lapses and the accused’s cooperation with the investigation. The arrest was deemed illegal.
The Supreme Court has temporarily halted trial proceedings in West Bengal following a petition from the CBI citing concerns over witness and counsel safety. The state government and parties involved must respond, and the DGP is instructed to ensure compliance. The CBI had previously filed complaints about post-election violence, leading to the High Court’s decision to initiate an investigation.