The ED sought an extension of Satyendar Jain’s custody after a raid unearthed Rs 2.82 crore and 133 gold coins.
New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate custody of Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain till June 13 in the alleged money laundering case.
The Enforcement Directorate had sought the extension after a raid at a premise connected with Jain unearthed Rs 2.82 crore and 133 gold coins. Satyendar Jain was arrested in connection with a case of money laundering.
Representing the ED, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju told the court that the probe agency had conducted eight searches at the premises of Lala Sher Singh Memorial Trust where Satyendar Jain is the president. Raju said Satyendar Jain denied during interrogation that he was a part of the trust.
Raju further told the court, “Certain incriminating materials have been found from the trust in form of cash, documents, etc. Need to confront the AAP minister with the documents. According to the documents, Jain and his wife are both members of the trust.”
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had on May 30 arrested Satyendar Jain in connection with a money laundering case. The agency has alleged Jain’s involvement in hawala transactions with a Kolkata-based firm in 2015-16.
The probe agency had registered a case in this regard in 2017 against the Delhi minister and his family accusing of their involvement in money laundering to the tune of Rs 1.62 crore. The agency has alleged that the minister and his family have formed four shell firms – companies with no real business – to launder Rs 11.78 crore in 2011-12 and Rs 4.63 crore in 2015-16.
On Wednesday, the Aam Aadmi Party had rallied behind Satyendar Jain as the BJP unleashed a malicious hate campaign against him today. AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came out in support of his minister and criticised the Prime Minister for using the muscle of central agencies for political gains.