New Delhi: Counsel for Delhi’s Health Minister Satyendar Jain undertook here before a Special Court not to make public the contents of a pen-drive supplied by the Enforcement Directorate against Jain, who is arrested under the provisions of Prevention Money Laundering Act.
Special Judge Vikash Dhull heard Jain’s bail application request on Friday instead of the the earlier scheduled d as October 31.
Counsel for Jain requested to direct the ED for supplying the pen-drive attached with the additional affidavit filed on behalf of ED.
Jain’s counsel submitted that they have not been supplied with the copy of the pen-drive filed by ED along with the additional affidavit.
Government Counsel for ED submitted that they have no objection in supplying the copy of the pen-drive to the accused, “provided accused undertakes to maintain the secrecy with regard to the contents of the pen-drive as mentioned in the letter dated 17.10.2022 of the Superintendent of Central Jail No.7, Tihar, New Delhi”.
Counsel for Jain undertook to maintain secrecy with regard to the contents of the pen-drive and not to make it public.
After hearing these submissions the Special Court said, “Application is allowed and let ED supply the copy of pen-drive attached with the additional affidavit to the counsel for accused Jain.
“With regard to second application seeking preponement of next date of hearing, it is submitted by Special Counsel for ED that they have no objection to the allowing of application filed on behalf of accused Jain seeking preponement of next date of hearing from 31.10.2022 to 28.10.2022.
“In the facts, said application is also allowed and date stands preponed from 31.10.2022 to 28.10.2022 for arguments on behalf of Satyendar Kumar Jain on his pending bail application.
“Superintendent, Tihar Jail be informed to produce accused Satyendar Kumar Jain, Vaibhav Jain and Ankush Jain through VC.”
The Principal District & Sessions Court of Rouse Avenue here on September 22, transfered the matter registered under the provisions of PMLA against Jain from the Court of Special Judge Geetanjali Goel’s to Special Judge Vikash Dhull.
Jain challenged the order of transfer in high court and apex court and later on withdrew the same from the Supreme Court. Now the matter is at the stage of hearing arguments on bail application of Jain.
Government Counsel for ED opposed the bail application by submitting that Jain who served as a Health Minister in Delhi may manage to get forged documents and can influence the doctors and jail official.
ED has earlier opposed the bail application of Satyendar Jain by submitting that if bail granted he may influence the co-accused, witnesses and other documents related to the case.
Jain’s counsel opposed it saying it was malafide application to derail the trial and to prolong the custody of Jain.
He contented that Jain is neither a Health Minister nor Jail Minister but is in jail. And that because the hospital where Jain was admitted is under the control of Delhi Government is no ground to alleged a bias in the case.
Satyendar Jain was arrested on May 30 and he continues to be in judicial custody at Tihar.
While the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in its charge sheet has alleged that Jain amassed assets to the tune of Rs 1.47 crore in the Disproportionate Assets case while Enforcement Directorate has submitted the attachment of Rs 4.81 crore in connection with the money laundering probe.
