Money laundering case: CBI court extends judicial custody of Satyendar Jain

National

In a money laundering case, a special CBI court on Monday extended Satyendar Jain’s judicial custody for the next 14 days. Jain was delivered from the hospital through video conferencing (VC). His attorney also attended the proceedings via VC.

After hearing the Enforcement Directorate’s argument, Vacation Judge Neelofar Abida Perveen prolonged Satyender Jain’s judicial custody (ED). The accused will be brought before the court on July 11th. Earlier in the day, the accused did not appear in court. The court had inquired as to why he had not been produced. Without the accused being presented, judicial detention cannot be prolonged.

The investigative officer informed the court that the accused was in judicial custody and was being treated in a hospital. Following that, the judge ordered production through VC.

Advocates Zohaib Husain and NK Matta for the ED urged that the accused should be held in judicial custody indefinitely because the inquiry is still ongoing.

They said that multiple damning pieces of evidence were discovered during searches on June 8 and 17 at separate locations. The evidence was being examined and the persons involved in the money laundering offence were to be challenged. “We are currently in the process of submitting an ED complaint (charge sheet),” they stated.

ED’s counsel also argued that Jain’s bail has been rejected by the court. He referred to the order rejecting bail application.

The Court on June 18 had dismissed the bail plea of Satyendar Jain in money laundering case noting the seriousness of the allegation and investigation of the case is still going on. The Court also observed that it cannot be ruled out that the accused can influence the witnesses.

Satyendar Jain was arrested on May 30, 2022, by Enforcement Directorate (ED). He was sent in judicial custody on 13 June, 2022 after ED interrogation.

Special CBI Judge Geetanjali Goel of Rouse Avenue Court while dismissing the bail application, had said, ” Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the nature of allegation against the accused and that the application for bail does not pass muster even on the triple test for grant of bail at this stage, the application is dismissed being without merits.”