New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Enforcement Directorate how much time it would take to collect evidence from Britain in a money-laundering case related to the Rs.3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.
The court was hearing a plea of businessman Gautam Khaitan, an accused in the case.
Justice Sunil Gaur declined to immediately pass any order on the plea of Khaitan who sought release of his passport to visit London to hold meetings with his clients.
"You (ED) have to file response regarding how much time it will take to collect evidence from Britain as you have apprehension on tampering with evidence by petitioner (Khaitan)," court said, posting the matter for April 27.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for ED, told the court that ED was conducting further probe into the money trail and feared Khaitan could tamper with the evidence if he was allowed to go to London.
He said ED has been collecting evidence in the case and two of the key persons related with the case are based in London.
"You (ED) may be collecting evidence, but for that you cannot indefinitely curtail his (Khaitan's) right to travel abroad," said the court.
During the hearing, ASG told the court that Khaitan had bought his air tickets even before taking the requisite court permission. Khaitan was granted bail by a trial court here on January 9 this year, more than three months after ED arrested him. The court had ordered Khaitan to surrender his passport, not to leave the country without prior permission of the court and not to tamper with the evidence in the case.
ED had earlier argued that a total of 70 million Euros (Rs.360 crore) was paid as kickbacks in the deal.
The trial court had earlier taken cognizance of ED's chargesheet filed in the case against five accused, including two Italian nationals -- Gerosa Carlo Valentino Ferdinand and Haschke Guido Ralph.
ED has also named Gautam Khaitan's wife Ritu Khaitan and Chandigarh-based firm Aeromatrix Info Solutions Pvt Ltd as accused in the case.
They were chargesheeted by ED for offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
UPSC CSE Extra Attempt: UPSC's answer in court, giving one more chance in the civil services exam is a complicated matter
On Monday, March 7, 2022, the Supreme Court heard the petition of three candidates seeking one more chance in the Civil Services Main Examination of the Union Public Service Commission due to the
Many prisoners were publicly hanged in Russia: It was forbidden to fire on Ukrainian soldiers in the war
Russia's attacks on Ukraine continued for the 322nd day. Meanwhile, in Russia, prisoners who refused to open fire on Ukrainian forces were publicly hanged. Some prisoners said they were sent to the
PAK Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reached Kabul without hijab: Video of Hina Rabbani with Taliban leaders goes viral
There has been tremendous tension on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan for almost 6 months. Recently, 6 Pakistani soldiers were killed in Taliban firing. To reduce this tension, Pakistan's
Tiger 3: After 'Tiger' Salman Khan, first look of 'Zoya' revealed, Katrina Kaif seen in full action mode
Katrina Kaif's First Look Revealed From Tiger 3: Salman Khan's film Tiger 3 has been in the news for its trailer release. Meanwhile, updates related to the film are also coming out. Recently Salman
Natasa Stankovic put a break on divorce rumors, shared a special photo, and said she is still a 'Pandya'!
For quite some time now, Natasa Stankovic and Hardik Pandya have been in the headlines for the news of their divorce. However, neither of them has issued an official statement on this yet, but
Sweden is still burning for the fifth day: Violence erupts after burning the Quran, so far 16 policemen injured in the clash
Sweden has been burning for the past four days after the issue of burning the Quran, the holy book of Islam, came to light. There are frequent reports of violent clashes between the police and
If there is a war between India and Pakistan… this road of UP will be useful for the army, Rafale and Sukhoi had landed three days before Operation Sindoor.
Just three days before Operation Sindoor, the airstrip on the Ganga Expressway from where the fighter planes of the Indian Air Force took off to express their intentions to Pakistan. Its security has
Uproar in Ajnala: Amritpal's armed supporters attacked the police station, beat up the policemen, injured six
Thousands of Amritpal's supporters attacked the Ajnala police station with swords and guns on Thursday after Amritpal Singh, head of the Sikh organization Waris Punjab De, threatened the Ajnala
Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Union Minister of State's son denies being at the scene, said this about the FIR against himself
Lakhimpur Kheri Violence: Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home and BJP leader Ajay Mishra, is under question in the case of the death of eight people, including four farmers, in
Hide and seek of corona: There can be many variants in the body simultaneously, they dodge the immune system by hiding in different parts
In most countries including India, there is a decline in the cases of the corona. However, research is going on around the world on how this virus destroys our immunity. Recently, two studies
