Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 23: A Delhi court on Thursday remanded I-PAC Director and co-founder Vinesh Chandel to 14 days of judicial custody till May 7 in a money laundering case linked to the alleged coal pilferage matter, even as he moved the Patiala House Court seeking regular bail.
Additional Sessions Judge Dhirendra Rana issued notice on Chandel’s bail plea and directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file its response. The matter has been posted for arguments on April 29.
The development came after the ED’s 10-day custody of Chandel, granted earlier by the court, ended on April 23, following which he was produced before the court.
In its earlier order granting ED custody, the court observed that the agency had complied with statutory requirements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at the time of arrest.
The court noted that copies of the arrest order, grounds of arrest and related documents were duly furnished to Chandel with acknowledgement and were also forwarded to the Adjudicating Authority.
Recording compliance with Sections 19(1), 19(2) and 19(3) of the PMLA, the court observed that procedural safeguards had been followed.
Referring to material placed on record, the court also took note of the ED’s allegations that Chandel was involved in routing funds through informal channels, including hawala, and that certain transactions were carried out outside the formal banking system.
The agency further claimed statements made during the investigation were inconsistent with evidence collected and that dealings with multiple entities lacked a clear legitimate business purpose.
The court also recorded ED’s allegation that certain electronic records and emails were deleted after search proceedings, which may have impacted the investigation, observing that these aspects required deeper examination.
It further held custodial interrogation was necessary to trace proceeds of crime, identify other persons involved and prevent possible tampering of evidence. Earlier, ED custody had been granted with safeguards including CCTV-monitored interrogation and periodic medical examination.
Meanwhile, in a parallel development, the office of I-PAC in West Bengal’s Vidhan Nagar, which has been handling the election campaign strategy of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has reportedly remained closed since April 20, according to sources.
Reports said the firm’s HR department had issued letters to around 1,300 employees asking them not to report for work, triggering speculation ahead of the ongoing Assembly elections.
Polling for 152 seats was held in the first phase on April 23, while the second phase is scheduled for April 29. Results will be declared on May 4.
I-PAC has played a major role in TMC’s campaign management, including booth-level operations, rallies and internal surveys that reportedly influenced candidate selection.
The TMC, however, dismissed reports of the office closure. Party MP Derek O’Brien said normal operations were continuing and the party was working with multiple agencies.