Court allows I-T dept to quiz lawyer in jail

To record Khaitan’s statement over 3 days

NEW DELHI, 06/05/2016: Delhi lawyer Gautam Khaitan arriving at CBI headquarter for questioning in the Agusta Westland case, in New Delhi on May 06, 2016. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

A Delhi court Monday allowed the Income Tax department to interrogate Gautam Khaitan, accused in the AgustaWestland scam, in Tihar jail.

Khaitan is lodged there in a separate case of black money and money laundering.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar allowed the agency to question Khaitan on March 19, 20 and 22 and record his statement.

The court passed the order after the agency said there was evidence against Khaitan showing evasion of tax and needed to be quizzed on the black money stashed.

Advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey, appearing for Khaitan, opposed the I-T department’s submission, saying the agency was targeting him and not even sharing the details of the case.

Bail dismissed

The court had on March 12 dismissed his bail plea of in the black money and money laundering case.

The fresh criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was filed by the ED against Khaitan on the basis of a case lodged by the Income Tax department against him under section 51 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.