Islamabad: Deposed Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to return from London next month after Eid, Mian Javed Latif, the senior PML-N leader said, amid a whirlwind of political developments that have embroiled the country following Imran Khan’s ignominious ouster from power.Latif said a decision on PML-N supremo and the three-time prime minister Sharif’s anticipated return will be discussed with the coalition partners.All decisions would be first brought up with constituent parties of the coalition, The Express Tribune newspaper quoted him as saying.Eid will be celebrated in the first week of May. Several corruption cases had been launched by the government of ex-prime minister Khan against the 72-year-old supremo of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz since his ouster from the office by the Supreme Court in July 2017 in the Panama Papers case.Sharif in November 2019 left for London after the Lahore High Court granted him a four-week permission allowing him to go abroad for his treatment.He had given an undertaking to the Lahore High Court to return to Pakistan, citing his record to face the process of law and justice within four weeks or as soon as he is declared healthy and fit to travel by doctors.Sharif was also given bail in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case in which he was serving seven-year imprisonment in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail. Commenting on the political uncertainty in the country, Latif said the coalition government will not last longer than six months and the only solution to the prevailing woes was to hold fresh elections.“However, there was this task of election reforms that had to be done prior to elections,” he said.He noted that the issues regarding the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and overseas voting rights were two primary issues that are to be addressed at the earliest. “EVMs are susceptible to external interference and similar to RTS, this system can be tampered with easily. As for overseas Pakistanis, exclusive seats can be created for them to elect their own representative, similar to the seats in Kashmir where seats are reserved for migrants,” he said.Sharif’s return to Pakistan has again made headlines in the country after ex-prime minister Khan became the first premier in the country’s history to be voted out of power through a no-confidence motion held early Sunday. The joint Opposition's no-confidence motion, which required 172 votes in the 342-strong parliament to pass, was supported by 174 lawmakers on Sunday, ending Khan’s prime ministerial term and seemingly bringing an end to the protracted political crisis in Pakistan. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, which ruled for over three-and-a-half years, had been struggling to stay in power as its allies joined hands with the joint Opposition that had been vying for an in-house change. The much-anticipated vote followed on the heels of the perpetually drawn-out session of the National Assembly punctuated by long adjournments amid high political drama, as well as unverified swirling speculation gripping the nation.&nbsp;—PTI

: Deposed Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to return from London next month after Eid, Mian Javed Latif, the senior PML-N leader said, amid a whirlwind of political developments that have embroiled the country following Imran Khan’s ignominious ouster from power.

Nawaz Sharif To Return To Pakistan After Eid: PML-N Leader

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an anti-money-laundering investigation into an alleged pornographic films case in which businessman Raj Kundra and others were arrested by the Mumbai Police crime branch in 2021, officials said on Thursday.The federal agency has filed a complaint under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after studying at least two police first information reports (FIRs) and subsequent charge sheets before a court.Kundra, husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, and his associate Ryan Thorpe were arrested and later granted bail in the case. A few others were arrested too.Kundra,46, was arrested by the Mumbai police crime branch last year after being booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Information Technology Act and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. The businessman had told a local Mumbai court last year that there was not even an iota of evidence with the prosecution that would connect the app 'Hotshots', used in the alleged porn films racket, with an offence under the law. According to the probe agency, the 'Hotshots' app was being used by the accused for uploading and streaming obscene content. Kundra had claimed there was no evidence of him being 'actively' involved in the creation of alleged questionable porn content.He had said he was falsely implicated and was not even named in the FIR and was dragged by the respondent (police) in the case. The businessman claimed in the plea that he is being made a 'scapegoat' for reasons best known to investigators. The police had filed FIRs on the basis of complaints received from two women. During the investigation it came to light that some small-time artistes were lured by giving them breaks in some web series or short stories, police had said.These actors were called for auditions and were asked to give 'bold' scenes, which later turned out to be semi-nude or nude scenes, that were against the wishes of the actors, the official had said.During the police investigation, it also came to light that there were many porn-like apps (applications) that were operating in cyberspace. The police had told the court that its probe found that Kundra allegedly set up Armsprime Media Pvt Ltd, which, through London-based Kenrin Pvt Ltd, bought the Hot Shots app to upload 'objectionable videos' on social media. Kundra's phone contained WhatsApp chats regarding Kenrin and its economic transactions. These conversations also revealed that he had allegedly discussed selling 119 adult films to a person for $1.2 million, police had said.—PTI

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an anti-money-laundering investigation into an alleged pornographic films case in which businessman Raj Kundra and others were arrested by the Mumbai Police crime branch in 2021, officials said on Thursday.

ED begins probe against Raj Kundra in porn films case

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain’s custody to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was extended by five more days on Thursday. He is being probed in a money laundering case. Jain was produced before the Rouse Avenue Court by the ED officials, which had demanded that his custodial remand be extended by five more days. “During the raid we have recovered a number of things and have to confront him with the people whose houses were raided,” the ED official said. After hearing the argument, the court allowed the ED plea and extended the custodial remamd of Jain by five more days. The Enforcement Directorate had recently conducted raids at multiple locations belonging to Jain and his known persons, including relatives. A recovery of cash worth Rs 2.85 crore and 133 gold coins weighing 1.80 kg was made.The ED had said that it conducted a search operation on June 6 at the premises of Jain, his wife and accomplices who had either directly or indirectly assisted him or participated in the processes of money laundering. “We conducted raids at the premises belonging to Ankush Jain, Vaibhav Jain, Naveen Jain and Siddharth Jain, the Directors of Ram Prakash Jewellers Pvt Ltd, G.S. Matharoo, Chairman of Lala Sher Singh Jivan Vigyan Trust which runs Prudence Group of Schools, Yogesh Kumar Jain, Director in Ram Prakash Jewellers Pvt Ltd, father-in-law of Ankush Jain and Lala Sher Singh Jivan Vigyan Trust,” the ED official had said. The ED had learnt during the investigation that one accomplice member of Lala Sher Singh Jivan Vigyan Trust had provided accommodation entries for transfer of land from company beneficially owned by Jain to family members of accomplices in order to alienate the property and to frustrate the process of confiscation.During the search various incriminating documents and digital records were seized. The cash amounting to Rs 2.85 crore and 133 gold coins weighing 1.80 kg in total from unexplained sources were found during the said premises and were seized under PMLA. The ED had initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of the FIR registered by CBI in 2017 under section 13(2) read with 13(1)(e) of the PC Act, 1988 against Jain hus wife Poonam Jain, and Ajit Prasad Jain, Sunil Kumar Jain, Vaibhav Jain and Ankush Jain.The CBI had filed a charge sheet on December 3, 2018 against Jain, his wife Poonam Jain, and other accused. It was alleged in the charge sheet that Jain while holding the office as a Minister in the Government of Delhi during the period February 14, 2015 to May 31, 2017 had acquired assets which were disproportionate to his known sources of income. The CBI has accused Jain, his wife and other accused for commission of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Earlier, the ED had provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 4.81 crore belonging to companies beneficially owned and controlled by Jain on March 31, 2022. Jain was placed under arrest on May 30 by the ED under sections 19 of the PMLA. Further investigation in the matter is on.—IANS

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain’s custody to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was extended by five more days on Thursday. He is being probed in a money laundering case.

Satyendar Jain’s Custodial Remand Extended For 5 Days In PMLA Case

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain’s custody to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was extended by five more days on Thursday. He is being probed in a money laundering case.



Mumbai: The Enforcement Director has summoned Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday for questioning in a money laundering probe linked to the re-development of a Mumbai ‘chawl’, officials said.The Rajya Sabha MP has been asked to depose before the federal agency at its office in south Mumbai on June 28 and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.The development comes as the Shiv Sena party battles rebellion from a group of its MLAs, putting a question mark on the future of Maharashtra’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. The ED in April provisionally attached assets worth more than Rs 11.15 crore of Raut’s wife Varsha Raut and two of his associates as part of this investigation.—PTI

 The Enforcement Director has summoned Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday for questioning in a money laundering probe linked to the re-development of a Mumbai ‘chawl’, officials said.

ED Summons Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut On June 28

Islamabad: The&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;Democratic Alliance (PDA) in its summit meeting on Thursday will deliberate the suggestion put up by Quaid of the PML-N&nbsp;Nawaz Sharif&nbsp;for quitting the government at the earliest and make a movement for holding fresh polls in the country.Sharif has worked out a strategic plan for giving up the government and it would also come up for discussion, The News reported.Maulana Fazal ur Rehman will chair the meeting and Sharif will address it virtually.Well-placed political sources told The News here Wednesday that judicial verdict in Punjab government has compelled Sharif to harden his position regarding dissolving National Assembly forthwith.The sources pointed out that the PDM leadership will also discuss the conduct of the various institutions during the last four months.The economic situation in the country will also come up for discussion.The question of resignations submitted by the PTI MNAs on April 9 immediately before the tabling of no-trust motion against the PTI government which is pending with Speaker of NA Raja Pervez Ashraf.The sources said that Sharif will be present in the meeting through video while Asif Ali Zardari will also be linked to the deliberations, The News reported.Another proposal will also be taken up for consideration at the meeting for starting a mass contact campaign as part of new general elections in the country, the sources added. —IANS

The Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDA) in its summit meeting on Thursday will deliberate the suggestion put up by Quaid of the PML-N Nawaz Sharif for quitting the government at the earliest and make a movement for holding fresh polls in the country.

 Nawaz Sharif works out strategic plan for giving up govt

Mumbai: A Special PMLA Court here on Monday sent&nbsp;Shiv Sena&nbsp;MP&nbsp;Sanjay Raut&nbsp;to a 14-day judicial custody till August 22, eight days after he was arrested by the&nbsp;Enforcement Directorate&nbsp;(ED) in an alleged money-laundering case.PMLA Court Special Judge M.G. Deshpande granted Raut judicial remand after the ED informed that it did not require his additional custody for the probe into the Rs 1,034-crore scam.On July 31, the ED had raided Raut's residence in Bhandup, detained him and arrested him in the wee hours of August 1 in connection with the alleged money-laundering case emanating from the redevelopment project of the Patra Chawl, Goregaon, by Guru Ashish Construction Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of the HDIL.On August 6, the ED interrogated the MP's wife, Varsha Raut for around 10 hours in the same case in which it had earlier arrested his close associate, Pravin Raut, a former director of the Guru Ashish Construction Pvt. Ltd.Sanjay Raut, 61, was earlier sent to a four-day ED remand which was extended by three more days till August 8, followed by the two-week long judicial custody granted on Monday.While ordering judicial custody, Special Judge Deshpande took cognisance of the MLA's medical records pertaining to his heart ailments and permitted him home-cooked food along with his medicines as prescribed by the doctor.In April the ED had attached properties belonging to Varsha Raut and Pravin Raut and two others, worth around Rs 11.15 crore as part of its probe.They included plots belonging to Pravin Raut in Palghar, Raigad, and a flat belonging to Sanjay Raut's wife in Mumbai, and properties she held jointly with another associate, Swapna Patkar.On July 1,&nbsp;Sanjay Raut&nbsp;was grilled for over 10 hours by the ED and then summoned again on at least two occasions, but he skipped the same citing the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.—IANS

A Special PMLA Court here on Monday sent Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut to a 14-day judicial custody till August 22, eight days after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money-laundering case

Sanjay Raut sent to 14-day judicial custody

New Delhi: In a latest development in connection with the liquor scam involving Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has handed over important documents regarding the case to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to look whether a case of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) can be made out or not.
The CBI has given a copy of the FIR and a few more documents to the ED. Now, the ED will first initiate a preliminary inquiry to gather evidences of PMLA and then will decide the future course of action.
The ED officials were not available to comment on the matter.
The CBI has made Sisodia accused number one in its FIR. The CBI's FIR has been lodged under sections 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy) and 477-A (Falsification of accounts) of the IPC.
The allegations against Sisodia is that liquor businessmen were allegedly given exemption of Rs 30 crore. The licence holders were allegedly given extension according to their own will. The policy rules were made by violating excise rules.&nbsp;
—IANS

In a latest development in connection with the liquor scam involving Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has handed over important documents regarding the case to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to look whether a case of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) can be made out or not.

 CBI shares liquor scam files with ED to lodge PMLA case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday will take up a plea by Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram seeking review of its recent PMLA judgment, which upheld the sweeping powers of the Enforcement Directorate to investigate and arrest.
A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and C.T. Ravikumar will consider the review petition filed by Chidambaram inside the chamber at 1.20 p.m.&nbsp;
According to Chidambaram, the judgment deserves to be reviewed on grounds of grave error and being contradictory to earlier judgments and provisions of the Constitution.
On July 27, the top court had delivered its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002.
On Tuesday, the PMLA judgment also received a critique from a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana.
In a 96-page judgment dealing with provisions of Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016, the top court made a short remark on the PMLA judgment titled 'Vijay Madanlal Choudary', which was pronounced by a bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar on July 27.
The top court noted that in Vijay Madanlal Choudary &amp; Ors vs. Union of India, this Court dealt with confiscation proceedings under Section 8 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and limited the application of Section 8(4) of PMLA concerning interim possession by authority before conclusion of final trial to exceptional cases.
"The Court distinguished the earlier cases in view of the unique scheme under the impugned legislation therein. Having perused the said judgment, we are of the opinion that the aforesaid ratio requires further expounding in an appropriate case, without which, much scope is left for arbitrary application," said the top court.&nbsp;
—IANS

The Supreme Court on Wednesday will take up a plea by Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram seeking review of its recent PMLA judgment, which upheld the sweeping powers of the Enforcement Directorate to investigate and arrest.

 SC to consider today review plea by Karti Chidambaram against PMLA judgment

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to review its July 27 PMLA judgment, which upheld the Enforcement Directorate’s powers in connection with attachment of property involved in money laundering, arrest, search and seizure under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said there are two main concerns — non-providing of ECIR to accused at the time of arrest and negation of presumption of innocence. The top court issued notice to the Central government on the review petition filed by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram.
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and A.M. Singhvi submitted that the entire judgment needs to be considered. However, the top court clarified two issues, which will be considered under the review. Solicitor Mehta Tushar Mehta submitted that review is unlike a writ petition, all the issues can’t be reviewed.
The top court noted that there was no need for elaborate hearing and the court feels there are two aspects required in the judgment for relook. “We are in full support of the prevention of black money. The country cannot afford such offences as the object is noble,” said the top court.&nbsp;
—IANS

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to review its July 27 PMLA judgment, which upheld the Enforcement Directorate’s powers in connection with attachment of property involved in money laundering, arrest, search and seizure under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

 'Providing ECIR to accused, negation of presumption of innocence', SC agrees to review PMLA verdict

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached the immovable assets worth Rs 16 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with a case against Mandeep Industries, Rajkot, official said on Monday. Mandeep Industries is a partnership concern of Ashish B. Talaviya, Kishorbhai Haribhai Vaishnani, Ramjibhai H. Gajera, Kalpesh P. Talaviya and Bhavesh Talaviya in Gujarat's Rajkot. The official said that the attachments include immovable properties in the form of plant and machinery, factory land and building, residential flats and plots worth Rs 16 crore located in Rajkot. The ED initiated the money laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Mumbai. During the course of investigations under the PMLA, it was revealed that Mandeep Industries had defaulted in repaying the loans to Union Bank of India in a fraudulent manner, which caused an undue loss to the tune of Rs 44.64 crore to the bank. Accordingly, the ED conducted investigation, which revealed that the said company was availing various loan facilities from the Union Bank of India and diverted the funds to various fictitious entities, and also to the personal accounts of the partners of the firm. Part of the diverted funds was also used for the purchase of immovable properties. Further investigation in the matter is on.&nbsp;
—IANS

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached the immovable assets worth Rs 16 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with a case against Mandeep Industries, Rajkot, official said on Monday.

 ED attaches property worth Rs 16 cr of Gujarat's Mandeep Industries

New Delhi (The Hawk): As part of its investigation into the E-nuggets gambling software case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen Bitcoins worth Rs 7.12 crore and confiscated Rs 1.65 crore in cash, according to officials.
According to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the agency recently conducted search operations at two locations in Kolkata, which resulted in the seizure of Rs 1.65 crore in cash, the freezing of 44.5 Bitcoin (worth Rs 7.12 crore at current exchange rates), and other incriminating papers (PMLA).
The FIR that the Kolkata police filed against Aamir Khan and others served as the basis for the registration of the current case. The Federal Bank authorities' lawsuit in a city court served as the foundation for the FIR.
Khan released the mobile gaming app E-Nuggets, which was made with the intention of scamming the public. Furthermore, the withdrawal from the said app was abruptly stopped under various pretexts after receiving a sizable donation from the public. Following that, all data, including profile data, was deleted from the app servers.
Officials stated that it was discovered that the money was laundered through more than 300 different accounts.
An earlier search operation against Khan resulted in the seizure of Rs 17.32 crore from his home as well as the tracking and freezing of Bitcoins worth Rs 13.56 crore and other crypto currencies worth Rs 47.64 lakh. In addition, the agency frozen Rs 5.47 crore discovered in Khan and his accomplice's bank account.
So far, a total of Rs 51.16 crore has been recovered in the case during investigations under the PMLA.
Further research into the topic is ongoing.
(Inputs from Agencies)

As part of its investigation into the E-nuggets gambling software case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen Bitcoins worth Rs 7.12 crore and confiscated Rs 1.65 crore in cash, according to officials.

E-nuggets case: ED freezes 7.12 crore Bitcoins

New Delhi (The Hawk): On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began investigating former Uttar Pradesh MLA Mukhtar Ansari and his aides under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on numerous Uttar Pradesh Police FIRs.
"During the investigation, Uttar Pradesh Police filed two further FIRs against Vikas Constructions for infringing on public and government land to build godowns. UP districts Mau and Ghazipur built the godowns. Afshan Ansari (Mukhtar's wife), her brothers Atif Raza and Anwar Shahzad, Ravindra Narayan Singh, and Zakir Hussain ran Vikas Constructions "official claimed.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed a chargesheet in one of the Mau district FIRs against all Vikas Constructions partners, according to the information.
The ED said Vikas Construction rented out godowns illegally built on public and government land in Mau and Ghazipur districts to Food Corporation of India for Rs 15 crore.
Vikas Construction and Afshan Ansari bought properties using this rent.
The EDA attached seven immovable properties worth Rs 1.48 crore after finding them. Attached property circle rates were Rs 3.42 crore at registration.
(Inputs from Agencies)

On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began investigating former Uttar Pradesh MLA Mukhtar Ansari and his aides under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on numerous Uttar Pradesh Police FIRs.

ED seizes Rs 1.48cr money laundering assets

New Delhi (The Hawk): On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that anyone who gives money with the intention of receiving a bribe will be knowingly participating in an activity related to the proceeds of crime.
A verdict rendered by the Madras High Court in March 2021, which dismissed the charges brought against Padmanabhan Kishore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, was overturned by a bench consisting of Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit and Justice Bela M. Trivedi. The high court's decision was challenged in a petition to the Supreme Court by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The supreme court stated that it is true that the money would remain uncontaminated as long as it is in the hands of a bribe sender and does not become impressed with the necessary intent and is not actually handed over as a bribe.
It was stated that if the money was given without this intention, it would only constitute a mere entrustment, and if the public official then used it for their own purposes, it would be considered a form of misappropriation rather than a bribe.
"Therefore, the most important factor is the necessary intent to hand over the money as a bribe, which is typically required to exist beforehand or prior to the moment the money is handed over. Therefore, before the money is given out, the necessary intent would always be in the forefront "It looked.
The bench went on to say that the person in question would undoubtedly be involved in the process or activity related to "proceeds of crime," including, among other things, the aspects of possession or acquisition thereof, if such intent had been entertained before the money was actually handed over.
"Such a person will be aiding or will be knowingly a party to an action associated with the proceeds of crime by donating money with the intent to give bribe. The money would not take on the characteristics of being the profits of crime without such active involvement on the side of the individual in question. Because of this, the applicable language from Section 3 of the PML Act are broad enough to cover the role that such a person plays "It read.
According to the supreme court, it is extremely obvious that the respondent was at least presumptively involved in the activity related to the proceeds of crime. It stated: "The high court's conclusion that the respondent cannot be held accountable for the offence under the PML Act is thus entirely false.
An IRS official who was a defendant in the case in 2011 lost Rs 50 lakh to the CBI. Investigation revealed that Kishore sent the money to the officer while the officer was still processing Kishore's income tax file.
Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code of 1860 and Sections 7, 12, and 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act of 1988 were used to register the case. The Enforcement Directorate afterwards filed a case under Sections 3 and 4 of the PML Act against the accused, including the respondent.
The main argument put forth on behalf of the respondent was that the money in question could not be considered tainted money while it was in the respondent's possession; it only acquired this character after it was received by the public servant. As a result, the respondent could not be considered associated with the proceeds of crime and could not be prosecuted under the PML Act's provisions. The high court agreed with this argument and dismissed the respondent's case under the PML Act.
The top court pointed out that the issue at hand does not concern Kishore's participation in the offence punishable by the PC Act; rather, it concerns whether he can be prosecuted under the terms of the PML Act.
The top court accepted the ED's appeal and stated: "The observations we made regarding the respondent's involvement serve as a preliminary indicator of whether or not the prosecution's allegations, if true at this point, would constitute an offence. It goes without saying that, based on the facts, the case will be evaluated solely on its merits at the proper level (s)... As a result, the respondent will continue to be listed and dealt with in line with the law in the Enforcement Directorate-registered E.C.I.R."
(Inputs from Agencies)

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that anyone who gives money with the intention of receiving a bribe will be knowingly participating in an activity related to the proceeds of crime.

Giving money with the purpose to bribe someone is a crime related activity: SC

Ranchi (The Hawk): The rural development department of the Jharkhand government has been asked to provide a thorough report on the money laundering case involving the alleged misappropriation of MGNREGA funding by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
In order to take action against those participating in the scam under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the ED has also sought information on their roles in the scheme (PMLA).
Several IAS personnel and state political personalities may be the target of an ED investigation, according to sources. Vinod Kumar, Assistant Director (Intelligence) in the Enforcement Directorate, requested a report on the FIRs, chargesheets, and actions done thus far in the matter in a letter to the rural development department.
Pooja Singhal, a senior IAS officer, was detained and imprisoned in May of this year in connection with a money laundering case involving a different MGNREGA-related scandal.
Large-scale irregularities, including purchases made under the names of bricks, stones, cow barns, etc., have been documented in a number of state districts under the pretext of purchasing supplies for MGNREGA schemes.
Aradhana Patnaik, who was the rural development secretary at the time, discovered a case of a suspicious withdrawal of Rs 200 crore from MGNREGA programmes a year earlier. The sum was discovered to have been withdrawn in March 2020. Patnaik had commissioned a high-level investigation of the situation.
(Inputs from Agencies)

The rural development department of the Jharkhand government has been asked to provide a thorough report on the money laundering case involving the alleged misappropriation of MGNREGA funding by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

ED requests MGNREGA scam report from Jharkhand government

New Delhi (The Hawk): On Thursday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced that it had filed a chargesheet under the Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA) against 19 individuals, including Anil Jindal, Chairman of the SRS Group of Companies, Directors Jitender Kumar Garg, Praveen Kumar Kapoor, and Vinod Jindal, in a case involving fraud committed against a number of homebuyers and investors.
Up to this point, the case's estimated sum of criminal proceeds is $2,215.98 billion.
The chargesheet was submitted to a Gurugram special court. The prosecution complaint has been taken under consideration by the court.
The 81 FIRs under various sections of the Indian Penal Code that were filed at various police stations throughout Faridabad and Delhi against the accused served as the foundation for the ED's money laundering probe.
During its investigation, the ED discovered that the suspects had deceived unsuspecting buyers by offering to deliver flats, parcels of land, commercial spaces, etc. They were unable to complete the projects, though.
Additionally, mortgages were placed on the real estate projects in order to obtain loans from banks and other financial entities.
However, because the loans were not utilised as anticipated and were in default, they eventually became NPAs.
The money so amassed from the buyers was piled into a variety of SRS Group-created shell corporations, and then it was syphoned off to buy assets in the buyers' personal names and the names of entities they controlled.
(Inputs from Agencies)

On Thursday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced that it had filed a chargesheet under the Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA) against 19 individuals, including Anil Jindal, Chairman of the SRS Group of Companies, Directors Jitender Kumar Garg, Praveen Kumar Kapoor, and Vinod Jindal, in a case involving fraud committed against a number of homebuyers and investors.

ED files indictment against 19 defendants in Rs 2,215,98 crore fraud case

New Delhi (The Hawk): According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a special PMLA court in Imphal has granted their request to seize a moveable property valued at Rs 11.54 lakh that was connected to K. Elizabeth Devi and was determined to have been used to launder money.
"One homestead land measuring 0.16 acres located at Imphal West, along with one under-constructed RCC building inside the said plot of land, have been ordered to be confiscated on a prayer being made under Section 8(7) of PMLA, 2002," the ED continued. "These were valued at Rs 11,54,835 at the time of attachment in 2009."
The ED launched a money laundering investigation against Devi, K. Premjit Singh, and K. Sanajaoba Devi, who were active members of the prohibited extremist organisation People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, based on the FIR filed by the Manipur Police invoking Sections 121, 21-A of the IPC, for offence of extortion from the public, Sections 17, 20, and 21 of UAPA, and Section 25 of the Arms Act (PREPAK).
According to the ED, the defendants were involved in extortion from the general public and the business community, collecting extortion money under the guise of taxes for the outlawed "PREPAK organisation," and out of the aforementioned "illicit monies," they also bought properties in their names.
"Then, during the course of the inquiry carried out in accordance with PMLA 2002, the proceeds of crime were located and attached. The aforementioned accused individuals had also been declared proclaimed offenders by the Special Court (PMLA), Imphal East, Manipur "ED said.
(Inputs from Agencies)

According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a special PMLA court in Imphal has granted their request to seize a moveable property valued at Rs 11.54 lakh that was connected to K. Elizabeth Devi and was determined to have been used to launder money.

ED seizes the accused banned Manipur outfit's property

New Delhi (The Hawk): In connection with an investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday detained businessman Abhishek Boinpally and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) media marketing coordinator Vijay Nair under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The two had previously been taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and held there while being questioned. Later in the day, the court was prepared to hear arguments regarding their request for release.
Boinpally was detained by the CBI for his role in the creation and execution of the GNCTD of Delhi's excise policy.
Boinpally, a well-known businessman from Hyderabad, came up during the course of the inquiry. He was asked to participate in the investigation but refused to work with the investigators and allegedly tried to mislead them. The FIR did not include his name.
The CBI made its first arrest of Nair, a businessman with a Jor Bagh office in Delhi.
(Inputs from Agencies)

In connection with an investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday detained businessman Abhishek Boinpally and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) media marketing coordinator Vijay Nair under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

ED detains Nair and Boinpally in the Delhi Excise Policy case

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached 40 per cent share of the Hotel Project (1,40,000 Sq. Ft. FSI Space) within the Commercial Centre, Gardens Galleria, Noida.
The ED said that the attached asset was owned by Unitech Ranchero Services Limited, Cyprus which was an alleged benami overseas company of Chandras, Promoter of Unitech Group and the value of attached asset Rs 65.32 crore.
"Investigation by ED revealed that Unitech Group had invested the Proceeds of Crime to the tune of USD 8 million through a benami company Ranchero Services Limited, Cyprus into Unitech Hotels Private Limited in the year 2007- 2008. Investigation revealed that Ranchero Services Limited, Cyprus is owned by Chandras and was being managed through an overseas trust on their behalf," the central agency said.
During investigation, the ED had arrested five individuals -- Sanjay Chandra, Ajay Chandra, Ramesh Chandra, Preeti Chandra and Rajesh Malik.
As of now, the ED has filed two charge sheets in the matter. The special PMLA court has taken cognisance in both the matters.
"Various domestic and overseas assets having a total value of Rs 1132.55 crore have been attached in the matter," said the official.
It includes the attachment of assets of Carnoustie Group, Shivalik Group, Trikar Group and the assets of Shell, Benami and personal companies of Chandras etc. Total proceeds of crime of more than Rs 6,500 crore has been detected till now in this case.
Further investigation in the matter is on.&nbsp;
—IANS

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached 40 per cent share of the Hotel Project (1,40,000 Sq. Ft. FSI Space) within the Commercial Centre, Gardens Galleria, Noida.

 ED attaches shares of Gardens Galleria in PMLA case

New Delhi (The Hawk): In light of the Supreme Court's most recent decision regarding the anti-money laundering statute, Mehbooba Mufti withdrew her appeal against the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) from the Delhi High Court on Wednesday.
Mufti is a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the president of the People's Democratic Party.
The petition was dismissed by a division bench consisting of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad.
Mufti had challenged Section 50 of the PMLA, stating that the state had been antagonistic toward her, her acquaintances, and her family friends who had all been summoned after her release from detention following the formal abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. She had protested that "their personal gadgets were seized in the course."
According to Mufti, she was not told if she was being called as a witness or an accused, why she was being called, or what the scheduled offence under the PMLA was that led to the proceedings for which summons had been issued to me.
She was not under investigation nor was she accused of any of the planned offences listed in the PMLA, according to Mufti.
On the other hand, the Supreme Court was also debating a number of petitions that contested various PMLA clauses.
(Inputs from Agencies)

In light of the Supreme Court's most recent decision regarding the anti-money laundering statute, Mehbooba Mufti withdrew her appeal against the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) from the Delhi High Court on Wednesday.

Mehbooba withdraws her appeal before Delhi High Court against the PMLA provision

New Delhi: The Delhi Prisons Department while raiding alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar's cell, recovered slippers worth over Rs 1 lakh and two expensive jeans, officials said on Thursday.
He is lodged in city's Mandoli jail under Sections of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). One of the CCTV videos of the raids shows the alleged conman weeping in front of jailors Deepak Sharma and Jaisingh. The footages have gone viral on social media. Along with CRPF, Sharma and Jaisingh carried out the raid in Sukesh's cell, where Gucci slippers worth Rs 1.5 lakhs and two jeans worth Rs 80,000 were recovered. A Delhi court recently sent Chandrashekhar to Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s custody after the agency arrested him in a fresh case under the PMLA related to cheating former Religare promoter Malvinder Singh's wife Japna.
He had allegedly duped Japna of Rs 3.5 crore promising her that he would use that money to bail her husband out of jail, who is in prison in connection with an alleged misappropriation of funds at Religare Finvest Limited (RFL) case.
Chandrashekhar had also allegedly defrauded Malvinder's brother Shivinder Singh's wife with Japna.
He had cheated Shivender's wife Aditi and Japna of several crores while posing as an officer from the Union Law Ministry and ensuring that he would secure bail for their husbands.
Malvinder and Shivinder Singh were arrested by the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing in 2019.
The brothers were arrested for allegedly diverting money and causing losses to the tune of Rs 2,397 crore.
—IANS

The Delhi Prisons Department while raiding alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar's cell, recovered slippers worth over Rs 1 lakh and two expensive jeans, officials said on Thursday.

The Hawk

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