Hasan Ali\'s wife told to appear before ED

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Thursday directed the wife of Pune-based businessman Hasan Ali Khan, arrested for alleged money laundering, to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for recording of her statement.



A division bench of Justices B H Marlapalle and U D Salvi was hearing a petition filed by Khan\'s wife, Rheema, seeking to quash the proceedings initiated against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The judges said they cannot entertain the petition when the Supreme Court is monitoring the investigations. \"Today we cannot grant you any relief as the topmost court of this country is seized of the matter,\" said Justice Marlapalle. Rheema also asked that the directorate be restrained from taking coercive steps against her. \"What do you mean by coercive action? It means arrest,\" asked an amused Justice Marlapalle.



Rheema\'s advocate I A Bagaria argued his client is being harassed because she is Khan\'s wife. \"I am shown as a suspect when I have not committed any offence. Inclusion of my name is void ab initio,\" she said.



Additional Solicitor-General Darius Khambata said, \"We have issued 23 summons to this lady. She has come just once in 2009.\" He said the special court, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, had directed Rheema to appear before the agency on Thursday. \"Why don\'t you cooperate with the investigations,\" asked Justice Marlapalle. Bagaria then submitted that Rheema will appear before the ED.



The judges directed Rheema to appear before ED between 3-5 pm on Friday and on August 1, 3 and 5. The judges said Rheema will be permitted an escort to accompany her and wait outside the room while her statement is recorded alone. They also directed compliance of SC\'s order by ED for audiography and videography during recording.



Bagaria argued that since the SC has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case, ED is no longer competent to probe it. To a query from the court whether the SIT has been set up, Khambata replied that a notification will be issued soon.



The judge has directed ED to file a reply to Rheema\'s petition within two weeks and adjourned the matter until then.
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