HC directs Hasan Ali's wife to appear before ED

Mumbai, Jul 28: The Bombay High Court today (Jul 28) directed Rheema Khan, wife of Hasan Ali Khan, arrested for alleged money laundering scam to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) this afternoon and on three days in the next week for questioning.

A division bench of Justices B H Marlapalle and U D Salvi was hearing a petition filed by Rheema seeking to quash the proceedings initiated against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Court remarked that at this stage it could grant any relief as the Supreme Court is already monitoring the investigation.

Additional Solicitor General Darius Khambatta informed the court that the ED has issued 23 summons to Rheema asking her to appear for questioning but Rheema has complied to only one summons.

Advocate I A Bagaria appearing for Rheema told the court that she would go to the agency's office for recording her statement following which the bench directed her to appear before the agency.

Rheema will have to go to the ED office today besides August 1, August 3, and August 5 between 3 pm to 5 pm.

Bagaria argued that since the apex court had directed for an SIT to probe in to the black money case, the present agency (ED) is not competent to investigate the matter now.

"But has the SIT been formed and taken over the case, the order might be there but has it been implemented," questioned Justice Marlapalle to which Kambatta said a notification would be issued soon.

The court has asked ED to file a reply within two weeks on Rheema's prayer to quash the proceedings.

PTI