Delhi Court denies bail to AAP’s Satyendar Jain, 2 others in money laundering case

The federal agency had arrested the accused in the money laundering case based on a CBI FIR lodged against Jain in 2017

November 17, 2022

Satyendar Jain is to stay in jail for now

The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi refused to grant bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain and two others in the money laundering case. The minister was arrested on May 30 under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Jain, whose bail has been denied in various hearings since his arrest in the PMLA case on May 30, is presently lodged in Tihar Jail.

During arguments, it was submitted on behalf of Satyendar Jain that the investigation related to the applicant has been completed and a charge sheet has been filed.

Special Judge Vikas Dhull of the Rouse Avenue Court pronounced the order which was deferred earlier. However, the court deferred the matter, citing the order was not ready. A detailed order will be made available later in the day.

As per the earlier submissions of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the AAP leader was in de facto control of shell companies used for alleged money laundering, and co-accused Ankush Jain and Vaibhav Jain were just dummies.

On the other hand, Satyendar Jain’s counsel argued that the alleged role attributed to him does not fall in the ambit of Section 45 of the PMLA.

Earlier, the CBI had accused Satyendar Jain, his wife, and others of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

During the investigation, ED revealed that companies beneficially owned and controlled by him received accommodation entries to the tune of Rs.4.81 crore from shell companies against cash transferred to Kolkata-based entry operators. Moreover, these funds were purportedly utilized for the direct purchase of land or for the repayment of loans taken for the purchase of agricultural land in and around Delhi.

On March 31, the ED provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs.4.81 crore belonging to companies beneficially owned and controlled by the minister.

On June 6, the probe agency conducted raids at multiple locations belonging to Satyendar Jain, his wife, and accomplices, who had either directly or indirectly assisted him or participated in the processes of money laundering.

A recovery of Rs.2.85 crore in cash and 133 gold coins weighing 1.80 kg was made during the raid.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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