Arguing in the Delhi High Court against Congress leader DK Shivakumar’s bail plea, The Enforcement Directorate has stated yesterday that the former Karnataka minister has hit a triple century in acquiring properties will ill-gotten wealth.
As per a report in Deccan Herald, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj argued before Justice Suresh Kumar Kait that if granted bail in the middle of the investigation, Shivakumar might attempt to influence the witnesses and tamper with evidence.
The ED’s counsel submitted, “In cricket, there are instances of creating a record by hitting a triple century. But former Congress minister D K Shivakumar made an all-India record by acquiring 300 properties using ill-gotten wealth.”
The ASG stated that Shivakumar has amassed vast wealth as a politician and has tried to convert black money into white by purchasing properties.
The ASG also submitted, “The main issue pertains to the source of money which is not being disclosed. If a person is unable to explain the source, just by making a payment or giving a declaration to the Income Tax department, the ill-gotten money cannot be converted to white money and IT department is not authorised to regularise it.”
The ED stated that Shivakumar has 317 bank accounts. He also has 24 agricultural properties in his name while his brother and mother have 27 and 38 properties respectively. The value of declared assets only stands at Rs 800 crores. His daughter Aishwarya, who has just graduated, has assets worth Rs 108 crores.
Pleading to the court for granting bail, Shivakumar’s lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi stated that the former Karnataka minister has already spent 45 days inside the jail. He also stated that Shivakumar is ready to deposit his passport to allay the apprehension that he may leave the country.
Read: The details of Enforcement Directorate’s case against Congress leader D K Shivakumar
Seven-time MLA Shivakumar was arrested by the ED on September 3 under the PMLA and is currently lodged in the Tihar jail under judicial custody.
Before the commencement of the hearing the ED’s counsel was reprimanded by the court for arriving 30 minutes late. After the ASG apologised saying that he was held up in the proceedings of the Rouse Avenue Court, justice Kait agreed to continue the hearing. Justice Kait has reserved his order on Shivakumar’s bail petition.
The ED case against Shivakumar pertains to the raids on his properties in 2017. After the maximum period under police custody completed on September 17, he was sent to Tihar under judicial custody till October 25.
