Rs 200 cr money laundering case: Court defers arguments on charge, asks ED to file written arguments on the role of each accused
Dec 12, 2022
New Delhi [India], December 12 : A Delhi Court on Monday deferred the arguments on charge in Rs 200 crores money laundering case related to Sukesh Chandrasekar and Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandes.
Jacqueline Fernandes appeared before the court on Monday.
The court directed the ED to argue on the charge against the accused wise.
The court also pulled up the Investigation Officer for not being on time for the court.
Special judge Shailendra Malik at Patiala House Court on Monday deferred the hearing on arguments on the charge after hearing initial arguments.
The Court directed the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) to argue on the specific role of each accused in the money. The court also said that the Prosecution may file its written submissions also related to each accused and relied upon documents.
The court remarked, " People are in jail. They are not getting bail due to the stringent law. They are asking for their right to a fair trial.
" You start arguments accused wise. You give written submissions. It will a good amount of confidence to those in jail. At least start the process," the court said.
The court listed the matter for December 20.
During the hearing, the SPP read over the FIR of Delhi police and some part of the charge sheet of the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case.
The SPP said this case was based on the scheduled offence registered by the EOW of Delhi police.
The court, during the hearing, told the SPP that there is no dispute over the proceeds of the crime, my concern, in this case, is only to see whether the offence of money laundering against the accused persons is made out or not.
"If I make any observation on the investigation, it would affect the other case also that is pending for change," the judge said.
At the outset, senior advocate Siddharth Agarwal for Jacqueline Fernandes urged the court to direct ED to give a statement that investigations have been completed in relation to these accused persons.
The court said that there is no provision under which this court can direct the ED to make such a statement.
The SPP said that IO is on the way, he can't make that statement.
When the IO appeared before the court, it pulled up him. The court said, "You can't take the things for granted." He apologized to the court.
Court asked the IO, "Are you able to give a statement on the investigation related to these accused persons.
It was submitted that a certain process for attachment of property is to be taken. ED is ready to argue on the point on charge.
The SPP urged the court to give one and half month time.
Earlier, the court said, " There is a casualness. The SPP told the court that he will make sure this not happen again
The court said, " Start the arguments. Don't create a situation that demean the authority of the court. You are the officer of the court."
