Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain's ED custody extended till June 13
A Delhi court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain in a money laundering case till June 13. On May 30, the ED had arrested the Aam Aadmi Party leader under the criminal provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The ED had sought to extend his custody as they need to interrogate him further.
Why does this story matter?
The latest development comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are embroiled in a political feud over the Delhi minister's arrest. On Monday, the ED recovered over Rs. 2 crore in cash and jewelry from Jain's aides in the alleged corruption case against him. The raids were reportedly a "follow-up" to the money laundering case against Jain.
'ED needs to confront Jain'
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appearing for the ED, told the court of Special Judge Geetanjli Goel that the agency needed to confront Jain after it had conducted searches at several places and certain incriminating material was found including cash and documents, etc. Meanwhile, senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Jain argued that there was no ground to further extend the minister's custody.
Cash, jewelry recovered in raids
The raids took place at the residences of Jain and his associates. The ED had recovered over Rs. 2 crore in cash and jewelry during the raids. Reportedly, Rs. 2.23 crore was recovered from Ram Prakash Jeweller and Rs. 41.5 lakh, including Rs. 20 lakh in cash and 133 gold coins, were recovered from one Vaibhav Jain.
Jain bought several shell companies
Jain had allegedly purchased or floated several shell companies in Delhi and also laundered black money worth Rs. 16.39 crore via 54 shell companies of three Kolkata-based hawala operators. Akinchan Developers Private Limited, Indo Metal Impex Private Limited, Paryas Infosolutions Private Limited, Manglayatan Projects Private Limited, and JJ Ideal Estate Private Limited were among other companies in which Jain allegedly owned shares.
ED attached Jain, family's assets worth Rs. 4.81cr: Report
Earlier in April, the ED had provisionally attached assets worth Rs. 4.81 crore belonging to Jain and his family members, reports said. According to the financial probe agency's investigation into the case, companies in which the AAP leader was allegedly involved illegally received Rs. 4.81 crore through the hawala network from shell companies during 2015-16.
