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Landmark Action in Sahara Money Laundering Case The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Kolkata, has taken a significant step in its ongoing investigation into the Sahara Group by provisionally attaching 707 acres of land in and around Aamby Valley City, Lonavala. The attached property is valued at approximately ₹1,460 crore and was allegedly acquired using funds diverted through fraudulent schemes under benami names. The land seizure falls under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and is a part of the ED’s broader investigation into illegal financial activities carried out by Sahara Group’s entities. Background of the Case The ED initiated the probe based on three FIRs registered under Sections 420 and 120B of the IPC in Odisha, Bihar, and Rajasthan. Over 500 FIRs have been lodged against Sahara Group entities , with 300 cases qualifying as scheduled offences under the PMLA . Allegations include misleading depositors with promises of high r...

Supreme Court Decision: V. Senthil Balaji vs  The Directorate of Enforcement Background and Case Summary The case under discussion is Criminal Appeal No. 4011 of 2024 , which arose from Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No. 3986 of 2024 . V. Senthil Balaji, a former Transport Minister in Tamil Nadu (2011-2016), was accused of involvement in a significant job racketeering scheme. The charges against him primarily relate to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 . Allegations The allegations stem from several FIRs filed between 2015 and 2018, which accuse Balaji of promising jobs in the Transport Department in exchange for money. It was claimed that Balaji, along with his associates, collected large sums of money for posts like drivers, conductors, junior tradesmen, and engineers. Over 2,000 individuals were named as accused , and multiple chargesheets  were filed under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) , the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 , and the PMLA. The ...

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan Challenges Arrest: Claims Unprecedented Assault on Fundamental Rights Amanatullah Khan , a prominent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)  MLA from Okhla , has approached the Delhi High Court , challenging his recent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) . In his petition, Khan argues that his arrest not only violates his fundamental rights  but also represents a misuse of legal powers for political motives. He terms his arrest as an “unprecedented assault” on the basic rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution . Allegations and Arrest Khan was arrested in connection with a money laundering case  related to alleged irregularities during his tenure as the Chairperson of the Delhi Waqf Board . The case also involves the acquisition of a Rs 36 crore property in Okhla. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been investigating Khan's financial dealings as part of its broader scrutiny into alleged financial mismanagement and disproportionate assets during hi...

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan Detained by ED in  Waqf Board Money Laundering Case The Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan on Monday. The investigative agency conducted a raid at his residence in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi Waqf Board, where Khan serves as Chairman.  The Allegations: Misuse of Waqf Properties The case revolves around alleged irregularities in Waqf properties, including illegal leasing and appointments. The ED claims that Khan, along with other accused, misappropriated funds and violated rules during his tenure. The agency has already filed a charge sheet against four accused persons and one firm, alleging that Rs 100 crore worth of Waqf properties were leased illegally. Raid and Detention The ED arrived at Amanatullah Khan’s residence early Monday morning, executing a search warrant. Despite his protests and claims of innocence, Khan was detained and taken into custody. Khan's cousin, Minna...

ED Arrests Sanjay Badaya in Connection with  Jal Jeevan Mission Scam in Rajasthan The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sanjay Badaya on July 16 in connection with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam in Rajasthan. Badaya, accused of playing a middleman in the scam, was taken into custody on Tuesday evening and later questioned at the ED's office in Jaipur. Ongoing Investigation and Previous Arrests Badaya's arrest marks the latest development in the ED's ongoing investigation into the JJM scam. So far, the ED has arrested three individuals in connection with the case. On June 19, Mahesh Mittal, a contractor, was apprehended as the third accused in the money laundering probe linked to the implementation of the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission scheme in Rajasthan. The ED's Jaipur Zonal office arrested Mittal under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Details of the Scam According to the ED, Mahesh Mittal and others were involved in bribi...

Supreme Court to Decide on Arvind Kejriwal's Interim Bail in Excise Policy Case Today The Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict today on the interim bail petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the money laundering case lodged against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) related to the Delhi excise policy case. Legal Proceedings A bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna informed the ED counsel, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, that the court may issue an order regarding interim relief for Kejriwal on Friday. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 under a money laundering probe linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. Previous Developments During previous hearings, the bench hinted at granting interim bail to Kejriwal to enable his participation in campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. However, it stipulated that if interim bail were granted, Kejriwal would not be permitted to perform any ...

Supreme Court to Consider Interim Bail for Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi Excise Policy Case Supreme Court Indicates May 7 Hearing for Arvind Kejriwal's Interim Bail The Supreme Court of India has indicated that it may hear arguments on the interim bail plea of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on May 7, considering the ongoing 2024 general elections. The bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, suggested that since arguments on Kejriwal's plea against arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case might take some time, it could consider the question of interim bail on Tuesday. Supreme Court's Cautionary Note on Arvind Kejriwal's Interim Bail The bench clarified that no final decision had been made yet and that it was simply informing all parties that interim relief might be considered if the hearing was likely to be prolonged. The court emphasized that it would hear both sides before making any decision o...

Delhi Excise Policy Case: ED Opposes Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Against Arrest, Cites Evidence Enforcement Directorate's Affidavit: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed an affidavit opposing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against his arrest. Alleging non-cooperation, the agency stated that Kejriwal avoided interrogation despite multiple summons, further exacerbating the necessity of his arrest. The ED underscored instances where Kejriwal allegedly failed to appear before the investigating officer despite being summoned nine times. Kejriwal's Conduct and Evidence: In its affidavit, the ED contends that Kejriwal's conduct significantly contributed to the grounds for his arrest, alongside the material evidence gathered during the investigation. Additionally, the agency highlighted instances where crucial evidence, including data from approximately 170 mobile phones, was allegedly destroyed by individuals involved in the scam. Recovery of Key Evidence: De...

Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody of BRS Leader K Kavitha in Excise Policy Money Laundering Case Introduction: The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has prolonged the judicial custody of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha until April 23, 2024, in connection with the excise policy money laundering case. Extension of Judicial Custody: Special Judge Kaveri Baweja granted the Enforcement Directorate's request for a 14-day extension of K Kavitha's judicial custody, citing concerns of witness tampering and evidence tampering. Advocate Nitesh Rana, representing K Kavitha, opposed the plea, asserting that no new grounds were presented. Court Proceedings: The court declined K Kavitha's request to address the court orally, permitting only written submissions. Advocates Zoheb Hossain, Naveen Kumar Matta, and Simon Benjamin represented the Enforcement Directorate, while Advocates Nitesh Rana, Deepak Rana, and Mohit Rao appeared for K Kavitha. Recent Developments: Earlier, the cour...

Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Cognizance Taken by PMLA Court A Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ranchi has taken cognizance of a prosecution complaint filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) against Hemant Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The complaint, comprising 5,500 pages, pertains to a money laundering case related to a land 'scam'. The central probe agency has also attached 8.5 acres of land in connection with the case. Detention and Extended Custody Hemant Soren, who was arrested on January 31, is currently detained at the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar, Ranchi. His judicial custody was extended till April 4 by the PMLA court on March 21. Additionally, on February 29, the Jharkhand High Court dismissed a petition filed by Soren seeking permission to attend the budget session of the state assembly. Allegations by the Enforcement Directorat...