The Delhi High Court has asked the Enforcement Directorate to explain its stand on a plea by alleged swindler Sukesh Chandrasekhar challenging framing of charges against him under the Anti-Money Laundering Act in the 2017 Election Commission bribery case. Justice Dinesh Kumar, after hearing the arguments of the petitioner’s counsel and the agency, said the matter “required further consideration”.
Justice Kumar also directed both the parties to file written submissions. He said, “Both of you file a written report. I am not issuing notice now.” The counsel for the petitioner said that in view of the stay on the proceedings in respect of the offense in this case, the trial court could not have framed charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED’s counsel said the plea was a ploy to delay the matter and if the petitioner’s contention is accepted, it would have “widespread consequences”.
The money laundering case came to the fore during the Delhi Police’s investigation into a 2017 case alleging that Sukesh Chandrasekhar received money from former AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran to bribe Election Commission officials to vote for Tamil Nadu. Of R. Of. AIADMK’s ‘two leaves’ election symbol could be obtained for the VK Sasikala faction in the by-election on the city assembly seat.
The High Court had in 2019 stayed the hearing in the bribery case against Dhinakaran and Sukesh. The trial court had framed charges against Chandrashekhar under the PMLA in October last year. Earlier last year, Sukesh was arrested in connection with another case. He is in jail now. The matter will be heard further on April 5. Sukesh is also facing a case of alleged cheating and extortion of money from prominent people including Aditi Singh, wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh.
