Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Frioday rejected
the bail plea of Kashinath Tapuriah, arrested along with stud
farm owner Hasan Ali Khan for alleged multi-crore money
laundering.
Justice RP Sondur Baldota, while dismissing the bail
plea, observed that it was a serious offence and prima facie
case is made out.
Tapuriah, in his plea, had claimed that he was implicated
in the case and that it was not the contention of the
Enforcement Directorate (ED) that he (Tapuriah) holds various
bank accounts abroad or that he had received proceeds of
alleged crime.
"Prosecution`s case is not that he is beneficiary of
alleged crime. His role, if at all, is attributed post
committal of crime where he advised transfer of money from one
bank account to another," senior counsel Ashok Mundargi argued
on behalf of the Kolkata based businessman.
Relying on ED`s case, Mundargi further contended that the
investigating agency has nowhere said that money came to
Tapuriah`s account.
ED had opposed the bail application contending that he is
sufficiently influential and has political connections to
tamper with evidence if released on bail.
Additional solicitor general Darius Khambata and advocate
Revati Mohite-Dere while arguing for the investigating agency
claimed that there are chances of him absconding as well since
he had helped Khan in acquiring passports based on forged
documents in 1998 and also for its renewal in 1999.
PTI
