Virbhadra PMLA Case: LIC agent Anand Chauhan seeks bail

LIC agent Anand Chauhan, chargesheeted in a money laundering case allegedly involving Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, today moved a special court seeking bail.
Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file a response on his application by December 15, when it will hear the matter.
The accused, who is currently out on an interim bail till December 5, claimed he should be granted regular bail as he was not required for the purpose of investigation and has already spent over a year in prison since his arrested in July last year under the provisions of Unlawful Activies Prevention Act (UAPA).

The accused was earlier denied the similar relief from the court and later the Delhi high court had also denied to granted him bail in the matter.
In the present application moved through advocate Tarannum Cheema, the accused has cited a recent Supreme Court judgement striking down a stringent condition for securing bail in money laundering cases.
Chauhan was arrested from Chandigarh on July 9 last year under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was allegedly not cooperating with the investigating officer.

Special Public Prosecutor, N K Matta, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, had alleged before the court that during Chauhan's interrogation, it was found that as an LIC agent he had entered into a modus operandi to launder disproportionate assets by investing in LIC policies.

The agency had alleged that Singh "while serving as a Union minister, invested huge amounts in purchasing LIC policies in his own name and that of his family members through Chauhan".
Chauhan is also chargesheeted, along with 82-year old Singh, his wife and others, in a separate case filed by the CBI in the matter.
Singh and all the other accused have denied all allegations made against them by the CBI and ED.