CBI Court summons lawyer Gautam Khaitan in a money laundering case

The Special CBI Court has today summoned lawyer Gautam Khaitan and three others in a money laundering case pursuant to an investigation under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015..The order was passed by CBI Judge Arvind Kumar after the Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet in the matter today..Alleging violation of provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, the charge sheet also names Khaitan’s wife, Ritu Khaitan and two other companies, Ismax and Windfor, as accused..As per the order, Khaitan and others will appear before the CBI Court on May 4..Gautam Khaitan, who is also one of the accused in the AgustaWestland chopper case, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 25 under the Black Money Act pursuant to a fresh ECIR..On January 26, a Magistrate had sent Khaitan to two days’ ED custody. On January 28, Khaitan was remanded to five days’ custody with ED by the CBI Court. His custody was further extended by six days on February 2..He was sent to judicial custody on February 8..Khaitan is accused of having several undisclosed foreign bank accounts and beneficial interest in several undisclosed foreign entities, gained in the name of legal consultancy. ED informed the Court that Khaitan had deposited nearly Rs 6000 crore in offshore accounts..While opposing his bail plea, the Investigating Agency had called Khaitan a “master launderer” and a “habitual offender”. Considering the serious nature of allegations, the gravity of offence and stage of the investigation, the CBI Court had eventually dismissed the bail application..Khaitan was represented by Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra and Advocate PK Dubey..Advocate DP Singh is the Special Prosecutor for ED.