Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed
the Enforcement Directorate to ensure that no unnecessary
adjournments are taken before the special court which is
hearing the case of Pune-based businessman Hasan Ali Khan,
arrested for alleged money laundering activities.
The division bench of Justices Ranjana Desai and R V
More was hearing an application filed by Khan's lawyer, I P
Bagaria, alleging that ED's prosecutors appear without proper
notification of their appointment, so they lack authority to
represent the agency.
According to Bagaria, under the Prevention of Money
Laundering Act (PMLA), under which Khan has been booked, a
notification by the central government appointing the public
prosecutor is indispensable.
"No prosecutor has been appointed for the special court
(for ED cases) since 2005. When objection is raised by the
defence lawyers, ED seeks unnecessary adjournments," Bagaria
argued.
Additional Solicitor General, Darius Khambatta, assured
the High Court that the government was in the process of
issuing a notification.
Following this, the bench asked the agency to expedite
the process and ensure that no further adjournments are
sought.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, June 09, 2011, 22:45