The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will appeal the Supreme Court’s decision to stop the probe into lottery King Santiago Martin. The order also blocks access to the digital evidence seized from his employees. Martin, a major political donor, is under investigation. The ED plans to challenge the decision while awaiting further hearings.
Today, On 12th July, The Supreme Court discussed the sequence of trials for predicate offenses and money laundering charges, questioning whether it is in the Enforcement Directorate’s interest to resolve the former first. The case involves Santiago Martin, accused in a lottery scam, seeking to postpone his Prevention of Money Laundering Act trial until after the conclusion of a related CBI case.
Today(on 10th April), The Supreme Court has stayed the money laundering trial involving ‘lottery king’ Santiago Martin after his request for postponement was rejected by a PMLA court. Martin argued that the trial in the money laundering case should only proceed after the conclusion of the related case, emphasizing the precedence of concluding the predicate case first.
On Thursday (14th March):Future Gaming and Hotel Services led by Santiago Martin emerged as the top purchaser of electoral bonds, acquiring bonds worth Rs 1,368 crore, followed by Megha Engineering Infrastructure Limited at Rs 966 crore and Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited at Rs 409 crore. The data also reveals extensive involvement of prominent political parties in the electoral bond scheme, reflecting bipartisan participation. The Election Commission, complying with Supreme Court’s directions, released comprehensive information for public scrutiny, enabling citizens to evaluate political affiliations and activities. The State Bank of India provided detailed information on electoral bond purchases and redemptions in adherence to the court’s directive. Additionally, a five-judge Constitution bench unanimously invalidated the electoral bonds scheme and related amendments, disallowing anonymous donations.
