Special CBI court refuses to extend judicial custody of Delhi minister Satyendar Jain: Report

Earlier in the day, the special court had refused to entertain the plea moved by the Enforcement Directorate stating that neither Satyendar Jain nor any lawyer representing him was present in the court.

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Monday extended the judicial custody of Delhi minister Satyendar Jain in the case related to alleged money laundering through Kolkata-based shell companies, news agency PTI reported.

The money laundering case is based on a 2017 CBI first information report (FIR) lodged against Satyendar Jain. (ANI file photo)

Special Judge Geetanjli Goel passed the order on a plea moved by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking extension of Jain's custody after the AAP leader, who is hospitalised, appeared through a video conference.

Earlier in the day, the special court had refused to enterain the plea noting that neither Jain nor any lawyer representing him was present in the court during the proceedings.

On June 20, the 57-year-old leader was admitted to Delhi's LNJP hospital after he complained of a low oxygen level, two days after was denied bail by a Delhi court in the money laundering case.

The CBI court has now asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to produce him through video conferencing, ANI further reported.

The money laundering case is based on a 2017 CBI first information report (FIR) lodged against Satyendar Jain.

He was arrested by the ED on May 30 and was sent to judicial custody for 14 days. He has been charged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Jain has been accused by the central agency of allegedly having laundered money through four companies linked to him, where he was holding shares while amassing disproportionate income.

In April, the ED had attached assets worth ₹4.81 crore of Jain's family and companies "beneficially owned and controlled" by him as part of the probe.

The ruling AAP government in Delhi has strongly criticised the action taken against Jain with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal saying that his health minister is a patriot and he was being framed in a false case.