The Pune-based stud farm owner and real estate agent, Hasan Ali Khan, who has been under the scanner for alleged money-laundering was interrogated and later taken into custody by officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday.
However, it is unclear if he was detained, as the officials refused to divulge details.
The move comes a day ahead of the deadline the Supreme Court had set for the ED to inform it of the action taken against Mr. Khan.
Last Thursday, the Supreme Court pulled up the Centre for its inaction and “lack of will” to interrogate Mr. Khan in custody, even after there was sufficient proof that he was involved in black money.
Mr. Khan is alleged to have stashed away $8 billion in a Swiss bank.
Documents seized
A team of 14 officials arrived at Mr. Khan's upmarket Koregaon Park residence at 8.45 a.m. and left with him and his wife at 4.30 p.m. The officials also seized some documents from his residence.
The ED had issued summons against him last Friday, asking him to present himself in front of the ED officials on March 10.
A ‘Lookout Circular' was also issued against Mr. Khan, to prevent him from leaving the country.
Court pressure?
The move by the ED is largely seen as a sign of the enforcement agency acting under the pressure of the Supreme Court order.
Earlier, Mr. Khan had appeared before the I-T authorities in Mumbai on February 18 in connection with notice issued to him on December 31, 2008, over alleged tax evasion amounting to Rs.40,000 crore.
His case is stated to be one of the biggest tax evasion cases in India.
