June 23rd 2024.
In a recent development, the Supreme Court is set to hear a plea filed by Bijaya Ketan Sahoo, an officer of the Odisha Administrative Service, seeking anticipatory bail in a money laundering case. The case was lodged against him by the Enforcement Directorate for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his known source of income. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a vacation bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Rajesh Bindal on June 24, according to the cause list published on the apex court's website.
Earlier, the Orissa High Court had denied Sahoo's plea for anticipatory bail in its May 10 order, stating that there was a prima facie case against him. The court noted that he was involved in acquiring properties that were linked to the "proceeds of crime." However, a different bench of the High Court, presided by Justice Chittaranjan Das, had directed that if Sahoo were to appear before the Special Court and apply for regular bail, it would be considered on its own merits.
The Enforcement Directorate had initiated an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after an FIR was registered against Sahoo, his wife Nalini Prusty (a financial official in Odisha), and other family members for allegedly possessing assets worth Rs 5 crore that were disproportionate to their known sources of income. During the probe, it was revealed that the couple had acquired six plots and flats, as well as a triple-storied building in Bhubaneswar's Chandrasekharpur, in the name of a relative who had no independent source of income.
Based on the ED's complaint, the PMLA court in Bhubaneswar had issued summons to Sahoo, requiring his appearance.
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