Virbhadra PMLA case: Argument on charge fixed for next month

A special court today said it will start arguments on charge against LIC agent Anand Chauhan in a money laundering case allegedly involving Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh next month.
Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal fixed the date after the counsel appearing for the accused informed the court that they have completed the scrutiny of documents.
The court also extended the judicial custody of Chauhan till April 11, the next date of hearing.
Advocate N K Matta, the counsel appearing for Enforcement Directorate, opposed Chauhan's plea seeking a direction to Tihar jail authorities to carry him in a special vehicle.

The counsel said no special treatment should be given to the accused. However, he said that a response be sought from the jail authorities after which the court directed the Tihar officials to file a reply in this regard on the next date of hearing.
The court had on September 7 last year taken cognisance of the charge sheet filed against Chauhan, while asking the Enforcement Directorate to provide him a copy of the final report and other documents.

The charge sheet was filed for offences under sections 3 (money-laundering) and 4 (punishment for the offence) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Act.

The agency had earlier said Virbhadra Singh "while serving as a Union minister, had invested huge amounts in purchasing LIC policies in his own name and that of his family members through Chauhan".
Chauhan was arrested from Chandigarh on July 9 last year under the provisions of PMLA on the grounds that he was allegedly not cooperating with the probe.