A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court, on the 17th of September, remanded D.K. Shivakumar, a member of the Indian National Congress (INC,) to judicial custody in relation to a money laundering case.
According to sources, the special CBI Court summoned D.K. Shivakumar and extended his custody under the Enforcement Directorate (ED,) which is investigating the case till the 17th of September.
The ED arrested Shivakumar on the 3rd of September and sought custody for interrogating him regarding the money laundering case.
The ED case is based on allegations made by the Income Tax (IT) Department. The IT Department alleged Shivakumar of transferring crores of money illegally and tax evasion. The case was registered in 2018.
After the custody expired on the 17th of September, the ED produced Shivakumar in front of the CBI Court and demanded an extension for interrogation.
After D.K. Shivakumar was remanded to judicial custody, the ED sought approval to interrogate Shivakumar during his judicial custody.
K.M. Nataraj, the Additional Solicitor General representing the ED, sought the permission for interrogating Shivakumar. He said, “In the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, as we could not confront (Shivakumar) with the documents, we seek permission for custodial interrogation during judicial custody.”
Justice Ajay Kumar Kuhar, a Special Judge of the Supreme Court (SC) who is reviewing the case, said, “So far as the application for remand of the accused to judicial custody is concerned, having considered the facts and circumstances, the accused is remanded to judicial custody till the 1st of October.”
The INC leader will be in Tihar Jail till the 1st of October and must cooperate with the ED during the interrogation.
However, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi, senior advocates representing D.K. Shivakumar, argued for bail, citing his health condition. Speaking about Shivakumar’s health condition, the Court said Shivakumar will be taken to the hospital and if the doctors say he needs to be admitted, he would remain at the hospital under supervision, or he would be shifted to Tihar Jail immediately.
The Court also said the petition regarding Shivakumar’s bail appeal would be heard on the 18th of September.
Stay tuned for further updates.
