PMLA case: HC seeks ED's reply on LIC agent bail plea

Enforcement Directorate (ED) was today directed by the Delhi High Court to respond to the plea filed by an LIC agent seeking bail in a money laundering case involving Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and others.
Justice Vipin Sanghi issued notice to the agency on the bail plea of accused Anand Chauhan, who is in judicial custody since his arrest in July this year.
Accepting the notice for ED, its counsel Amit Mahajan said they will file their response to the accused plea before the next date of hearing, December 2.
The accused had approached the court challenging the trial court's August 20 order dismissing his bail plea, saying there was "more than sufficient material" to show his involvement in the alleged offence.

Chauhan was arrested from Chandigarh on July 9 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after ED alleged that he was not cooperating with its probe.
During the hearing on his bail plea before the trial court, ED had claimed that there was ample evidence against him and there was serious apprehension that he could tamper with evidence if released on bail.
Chauhan had sought bail on the ground that the case against him was documentary in nature and there was no need to keep him in custody. He had said that he had joined and cooperated in the probe.

The ED has alleged that Virbhadra Singh had "invested huge amount in purchasing LIC policies in his own name and his family members through Chauhan.