ED not to insist on Anand Grover's appearance in alleged money laundering case against Lawyers Collective till December 14: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court today took on record that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) until December 14 will not insist on the appearance of Senior Advocate Anand Grover in response to the summons issued to him in his capacity as a Trustee of the NGO, Lawyers Collective, which is allegedly embroiled in a money laundering case..The Bench of Justices SS Shinde and MS Karnik recorded this in the plea filed by the Lawyers Collective challenging the summons issued for appearance on November 26..The Court had earlier asked Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh to seek instructions from the ED on whether the hearing on the summons issued can be deferrent in view of the grim COVID situation in Delhi and Maharashtra..We need to respect humanity: Bombay High Court asks ED if it can defer summons issued to Sr. Adv. Anand Grover in view of COVID-19 pandemic.On instructions, the ASG submitted that the hearing of the present plea may be deferred till the next week and that the ED will file a reply in the meantime. .He was, however, reluctant that the Court record his instruction that Grover need not appear before the ED expressing concern that several senior citizens may come up with similar requests..Senior Advocates Amit Desai and Aspi Chinoy vehemently opposed the ASG's request to not record this statement on apprehensions that the ED may proceed to take coercive action against Grover and create a default against his name for non-appearance..The ASG reiterated that he was making a responsible submission to the Court only because the Court had asked him to seek instructions from the ED. ."I am appearing before Milords, I am making a statement. I am stating responsibly as ASG. Milords and my learned friends should trust me", ASG Anil said.."I am stating responsibly as ASG. Milords and my learned friends should trust me."ASG Anil Singh.Chinoy, however, pressed for a statement to be recorded, observing that this was an issue of summons and not a question of trust on the ASG.."What is the reason for not recording the statement? We are only deferring the summons, nothing on merits. If you (ASG) can say it in open court, then why not record the statement?" Chinoy asked. ."If you (ASG) can say it in open court, then why not record the statement?"Senior Advocate Aspi Chinoy.The Court also expressed allied concerns, observing "... if Grover does not appear tomorrow, then at a later date if there is some issue, then how will they show their absence was allowed?".The ASG eventually suggested to the Court that they may record that the ED will not insist on Grover's presence till December 14. He, however, requested that this should not be recorded as his statement..After all the counsel agreed to the submission of the ASG, the Court proceeded to record the same in its order. .The hearing on merits of the plea will continue on December 14, 2020..[Read order]