Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain wields "considerable influence" over co-accused: ED opposes bail plea

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday opposed the bail plea filed by Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain in a money laundering case, arguing that he wields "considerable influence" over co-accused in the case [Satyendar Jain v. ED]..Appearing for ED, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju along with Advocates Shoeb Hossain and NK Matta contended that Jain was actually in control of the shell companies which were used as “fronts”.“De facto control. These persons (co-accused) are dummy persons. On paper, it could be that the shareholders are beneficiaries. But if they are his cronies, then it'll have to be looked into. Not only for the purpose of trial, but also bail. Vaibhav and Ankush (co-accused) extensively interrogated on source and funds. And it has revealed they weren't flushed with funds. They couldn't justify source,” submitted Raju..The ASG also argued that since the previous rejection of Jain’s bail plea, there was no substantial change in material circumstances.According to Raju, the retraction of a purported statement made by co-accused Vaibhav four years ago indicated that the Minister “wields considerable influence”.Senior Counsel N Hariharan, along with Advocate Bhavook Chauhan, have argued for Jain..Special Judge Geentanjli Goel will next hear the matter on September 13, when Jain’s counsel will respond to the ED's arguments..The CBI had initially registered a case under Sections 13(2) (criminal misconduct by public servant) read with 13(e) (disproportionate assets) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Jain. The case was registered on the allegation that Jain had acquired movable properties in the name of various persons between 2015 and 2017 (check period) which he could not satisfactorily account for.On April 5 this year, the ED, on the basis of its investigation into the money laundering aspect, provisionally attached immovable properties worth ₹4.81 crore belonging to M/s Akinchan Developers Pvt Ltd, M/s Indo Metal Impex Pvt Ltd, M/s Paryas Infosolutions Pvt Ltd, M/s Manglayatan Projects Pvt Ltd, M/s JJ Ideal Estate Pvt Ltd, and other persons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.The enforcement agency alleged that between 2015 and 2016, when Jain was a public servant, these companies “beneficially owned and controlled by him” received accommodation entries amounting to ₹4.81 crore from shell companies against the cash transferred to Kolkata-based entry operators through a hawala route..Delhi court takes cognisance of Enforcement Directorate case against Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain, others