Jammu, Nov 7: The Enforcement Directorate tonight arrested Choudhary Lal Singh, former Minister and supremo of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party (DSSP) after a court rejected his pre-arrest bail.
Soon after his pre-arrest bail was rejected, the ED teams started a search for Lal Singh and arrested him tonight from the house of a contractor Suraj Singh near Duggar Haveli at Chowadi on outskirts of the City.
Later, Lal Singh was whisked away to the ED office at Narwal for questioning.
Earlier, Special Judge CBI Jammu Bala Joyti today rejected the pre-arrest bail application of former Minister and Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party (DSSP) supremo Lal Singh, extended the bail application of Kanta Andotra and Dr. Kranti Singh up to November 30 in money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.
Bala Joyti while rejecting the bail application of Choudhary Lal Singh and after hearing Special PP Ashwani Khajuria for the ED and Adv Rajesh Kotwal for the applicant, observed that nature of allegations and gravity of the accusation and stage of investigation, to my mind investigating agency must be given sufficient time in conducting analyzed and effective investigation.
“In view of this, applicant/petitioner is no more entitled to concession of bail at this stage as same would hamper the ongoing investigation. It must be reminded that pre-arrest bail was granted to the applicant for a limited period on certain conditions including extension of co-operation to investigating agency. PMLA gives unfettered powers to the ED for search, seizure and investigation. It is apt to note that “evil of Money laundering is a curse and has its diverse impact on the society and its citizens.
Money Laundering is a serious threat not only to financial system of our country but also to global economy at large which is required to be dealt sternly”, the Judge observed.
Court further observed that PMLA gives unfettered powers to the ED for search, seizure and investigation. Section 45 of PMLA Act prohibits grant of bail in Section 45 (1) (b) PMLA matters without satisfying terms & conditions laid therein.
Thus, in light of aforesaid discussion and allegations being grave and serious in nature against the petitioner, this court is not inclined to grant privilege of bail to escape the rigours of law which stands rejected being devoid of any legal force at this stage. However, the applicant/ petitioner’s case can be considered on its own merits without being prejudiced by this order at later stage if there is a change in circumstances. The application is, accordingly, dismissed, the Judge said.
While extending the bail of Kanta Andotra and Dr. Kranti Singh, the Special Judge CBI observed that recent ruling of Delhi High Court in “Preeti Chandra Vs. Directorate of Enforcement” on 14.06.2023 wherein it is held that PMLA bail terms can be eased for illness, women, and in case of so relaxation has to be given in cases where the accused is a women or sick and such bail orders must be given in exceptional circumstances and as in present case this petitioner is already on absolute bail in predicate offence, her statement next before Enforcement authorities is also recorded as reported for all what has been observed till date, considered and analysed herein above, the petitioner/ applicant has been able to carve out a case for indulgence of this court and consequent grant of bail being a women only.
“Thus, in view of the aforesaid discussion, petitioner/applicant’s bail order dated 02.11.2023 is extended till 30.11.2023 as investigation is still going on and petitioner is directed to co-operate with investigating agency without any fail”, the Judge said.
