The Enforcement Directorate has sought to interrogate Pune businessman Hasan Ali Khan, accused of money laundering, for three more days, from June 13 to 15.
On Tuesday, the ED filed an application requesting that the special judge issue — under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act — an examination warrant against Khan, who is now in judicial custody. The court adjourned the hearing of the application till June 17.
Official sources said there is a possibility that the court may grant it permission to question Hasan Ali for three days after June 17.
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Meanwhile, Hasan Ali's lawyer I.A. Bagaria accused the ED of malafide and dishonest intention. In a reply filed in the court to the interrogation application, he said: “Now due to pendency of writ petition and the nature of undertaking given before the honourable High Court, to stall the hearing of the bail application this application is made with malafide intention, dishonest intention with calculated motive and with a view to indirectly interfering in the hearing of bail application.”
The Enforcement Directorate has been directed by the special court to file a compliance report by June 17 on the notification under Section 46 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to appoint a public prosecutor.
“There is no proper public prosecutor appointed under Section 46 available with the ED to argue the case. It seems the ED does not want the hearing of Hasan Ali's bail application to take place,” Mr. Bagaria told journalists.
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On Monday, Hasan Ali moved the Bombay High Court, which directed the ED to file a reply in two weeks.
Meanwhile, Ujjwal Nikam appeared before the special court on behalf of the ED, saying the agency had authorised him to appear in the court as a special public prosecutor.