The Enforcement Directorate on Monday rushed to Pune and took Mr Hasan Ali Khan into custody after the Supreme Court mounted pressure on the agency to take Mr Khan into custody for interrogation in relation to money-laundering and tax evasion cases. Sources confirmed that there is a high possibility of the ED invoking the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Mr Hasan Ali. They are likely to inform the Supreme Court regarding his arrest on Tuesday morning.
On the other hand, the cross-examination of A.K. Singh, investigating officer in the case, conducted last week by Mr Khan’s lawyer, Mr R.K. Gaur, reveals the ED’s lack of willingness to probe the accused. The details of the cross-investigation clearly point in the direction that it was only because of the top court’s pressure that the Pune-based racehorse owner was taken into custody.
Mr Hasan Ali Khan was picked up from his house and brought to Mumbai after ED officials from Mumbai searched his home in Pune’s Koregaon Park area. According to sources, the ED simultaneously conducted raids at 14 locations connected to Mr Khan.
ED officials also conducted searches at the residence of Philip Raj Anand, an alleged associate of Mr Khan, in Gurgaon and reportedly recovered some documents. “On the request of the Mumbai zone of the ED, officials of the Central revenue agency also recorded Mr Anand’s statement. Mr Anand, who owns a hotel in Switzerland, has revealed that Mr Khan wanted to acquire some property in Switzerland through him. However, it did not materialise.” If required, Mr Anand may be asked to appear before the agency again, sources added.