On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court called on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to a petition filed by former Delhi Cabinet Minister Satyendar Jain, requesting a postponement of the proceedings in his ongoing money laundering trial. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri issued a notice to the ED and scheduled a follow-up hearing for December 10, while refusing to stay the current trial court proceedings.
Jain’s legal representatives contended that delaying the charge arguments would be just, as the ED’s investigation is still underway. They argued that any new evidence unearthed could be crucial, especially if it includes exculpatory information that might influence the trial’s outcome. The petition also pointed out that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is actively collecting records and interviewing witnesses concerning the initial offense, which involves intricate financial transactions and extensive documentation.
This plea comes after Jain was granted bail by the trial court in October, following an 18-month detention period that saw little to no progress in his trial. Arrested by the ED in May 2022 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Jain faces allegations of channeling illegal proceeds through four associate companies. These charges originated from a 2017 CBI investigation into purported disproportionate assets.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticized Jain’s arrest and the ensuing legal actions, labeling them as politically motivated, particularly given their timing before the Himachal Pradesh elections. The party asserts that the charges are aimed at undermining Jain, who has been accused of laundering money through businesses associated with him.
