Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday told the Bombay High Court that Hasan Ali Khan, arrested for
alleged money laundering, was a "habitual offender", and his
links with arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi needed "intensive
probe".
"During the questioning, Hasan has not come out with
details about various transactions made by him with foreign
banks. The possession of huge funds in foreign accounts raises
grave questions which need to be deeply probed," the agency
states in latest affidavit, challenging Hasan`s bail plea.
According to the ED, Hasan had links with international
arms-dealer Adnan Khashoggi, which required "intensive probe"
as it has a bearing on the national security.
"With regard to fake passport held by Hasan, through
which he travelled to Singapore, in his statement he has said
it was his associate and arrested accused Kashinath Tapuriah
who had arranged the documents. However, Tapuriah has refuted
this and said Hasan had arranged for the passport through one
Prakash Mehtani in Mumbai," the affidavit states.
It further claims that passport obtained by Hasan from
Patna passport office on the basis of forged documents with
the help of Amlendu Pandey also needs to be probed further.
"Pandey`s statement has been recorded in which he has
said that he had travelled to Singapore with Hasan, who wanted
to open an account with SBC bank there. It is necessary to
confront Hasan and Pandey to unearth the transactions
undertaken there," the affidavit says.
If Hasan is released on bail, he is capable of acquiring
another fake passport and absconding. Also, he may tamper with
evidence, ED says, adding that it needed to question him
further. Justice R C Chavan will hear the bail plea on April
29.
PTI
