Delhi court transfers money laundering case against Satyendar Jain to another Judge

Highlights

Court allowed ED petition that sought transfer of money laundering case related to Satyendar Jain
Judge Vinay Kumar Gupta agreed to transfer Satyender Jain case to another judge
Now, the case has been transferred to Special Judge Vikas Dhull

Money laundering case: The Principal District and Sessions Court of Rouse Avenue Courts on Friday (September 23) allowed the Enforcement Directorate petition that sought the transfer of a money laundering case related to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Satyendar Jain.

The Principal District and Sessions Judge Vinay Kumar Gupta on Friday agreed to transfer the Satyender Jain money laundering to another judge and listed the matter afresh for hearing today itself.

Now the case has been transferred to Special Judge Vikas Dhull.Earlier it was heard in length by Special Judge Geetanjali Goel.On Thursday, during arguments of ED, ASG SV Raju submitted that there was an attempt to seek medical bail by using false medical reports. The court didn't take any action. He has been handling the Delhi Prisons too as a Minister and can use power, money, and influence.

"Satyendar Jain was also the jail minister. He spent most of the time in the hospital during judicial custody, the medical report was given fake...we gave all the documents to the court, but nothing happened," ASG Raju added.

Appearing for Jain, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal submitted that he was shifted to LNJP Hospital and as per the jail manual no violation was held.

When the same judge granted remand to Satyendar Jain then it was fine.ED plea seeking the transfer of the case to another is clearly showing a malafide contention. The ground taken by the ED is totally vague.

Earlier the court of District Judge had stayed Satyendar Jain's trial after ED plea sought transfer of the case and issued notice to all the accused persons. The Court was presently hearing the lengthy arguments on the bail petitions of Satyendar Jain and the other two co-accused Ankush Jain and Vaibhav Jain in the matter. The bail hearing of the accused was at the final stage.

All three persons are currently in Judicial Custody.Senior Advocate N Hariharan, appearing for Satyendar Jain, expressed his displeasure with Special Judge Geetanjali Goel and submitted, "It's really unfair. Totally uncalled for. They're preempting things. We'll oppose it tooth and nail."

The ED had arrested Satyendar Jain and two others in a money laundering case based on a CBI FIR lodged against the AAP leader in 2017 under the Prevention of Corruption Act under which he was accused of having laundered money through four companies allegedly linked to him.

On September 16, the ED quizzed Jain inside the Jail in relation to the Excise policy case.Special Judge Geetanjali Goel allowed the application moved by the ED seeking permission to question Satyendar Jain in the excise policy case.

Recently the court also took cognizance of the Prosecution Complaint (Chargesheet) filed by the ED against Satyendar Jain, his wife, and eight others including four firms in connection with the money laundering case.

The ED on June 6 claimed to have seized Rs 2.85 crore in cash and 133 gold coins weighing 1.80 kg from Satyendra Jain's aides during its day-long raid conducted at various places across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). During these raids, the agency also seized various incriminating documents and digital records.

The ED had initiated the money-laundering investigation on the basis of a First Information Report registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 24, 2017, under Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Satyendar Jain, Poonam Jain, Ajit Prasad Jain, Sunil Kumar Jain, Vaibhav Jain and Ankush Jain.

(With ANI inputs)