Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon violence: ED registers money laundering case with court nod

The court said whether there are any proceeds of crime is a part of the investigation, and as a complaint has been registered, lawyer Surendra Gadling's statement can be recorded.

Published on: Aug 10, 2022, 22:34:00 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday registered a money laundering case in Elgar Parishad and Bhima Koregaon violence case and began an investigation hours after a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) allowed the ED to record the statement of lawyer Surendra Gadling in this regard at the Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai.

According to a PTI report, special judge for NIA cases Rajesh J Katariya said whether there are any proceeds of crime is a part of the investigation, and as a complaint has been registered, Gadling's statement can be recorded.

Gadling has been in judicial custody since 2018 following his arrest in the Elgar Parishad case.

The ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) last year based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the NIA in the case.

The agency told the court that Gadling was a prime accused in the case and it wanted to record his statement. He was an active member of the CPI (Maoist) and was suspected to be involved in fund raising and disbursement of money for the banned outfit, it said.

Opposing the plea, Gadling said the ED had “malafide and hidden agenda” to implicate him in yet another case. Its allegations were “absolutely baseless,” he added.

The court then allowed the ED to record Gadling's statement in Taloja jail near Mumbai from August 17 to 19.

Gadling and several other activists have been arrested in the Elgar Parishad violence case. The case relates to Elgar Parishad, a conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017. The Pune Police had alleged that the conclave was backed by the Maoists and the inflammatory speeches made there triggered caste violence near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in the district a day later. The invstigation was later taken over by the NIA.

(With inputs from agen)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.