Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday questioned the source of wealth of Pune-based businessman Hasan Ali Khan, arrested in a money laundering case by the
Enforcement Directorate (ED).
"From where did he (Hasan) get so much money? Is it
his or someone else's? No person can amass so much money
through any decent activity. He must have committed some other
offence (apart from what he has been arrested for)," Justice A
M Thipsay said while hearing his bail plea.
Earlier, Additional Solicitor General Darius
Khambatta, appearing for the ED, had submitted information
about the transactions allegedly made by Hasan and his aide
Kashinath Tapuriah (also arrested in this case) with
international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi.
"ED has more than prima facie evidence against Hasan
now. He has financed Khashoggi on several occasions. Although
he has admitted to ED that he has several accounts in foreign
banks, he has not yet revealed from where he got such a huge
amount," he said.
To the court's question what prevents the ED from
getting records of accounts from the foreign banks, Khambatta
said, "Letters Rogatory have been issued to several countries
seeking information and replies are awaited."
Justice Thipsay also asked if the agency had any other
evidence, other than Hasan's statements, to prove the
transactions through foreign accounts.
"What an accused says may not be the best evidence.
There has to be documents to substantiate the allegations,"
the court remarked.
Khambatta said the agency had already collected
several notarised documents to prove the transactions.
The court will continue the hearing on Monday.
PTI
First Published: Friday, July 29, 2011, 19:52