Mumbai, July 17: Mumbai High Court has dismissed as withdrawn a petition filed by Tarun Shah, secretary of controversial film financier Bharat Shah, challenging a special court order which declared him a proclaimed offender and attached his properties after he absconded in a case of alleged nexus with underworld. Justices D G Deshpande and A S Aguiar said they were dismissing the petition but Tarun's lawyer urged he may be allowed to withdraw it. Accordingly, his plea was accepted.

Tarun urged for quashing special court's order of April 12 last year which had declared him a proclaimed offender and attached his movable and immovable properties. He contended that enough time had not been given to him to appear before the court and he also argued notification about his proclamation was not advertised in any newspaper. Prosecutor Rohini Salian argued notification about his proclamation had indeed been circulated in a newspaper and adequate time had been given by designated Judge A P Bhangale to ensure his presence before the court.

She pointed out Tarun had absconded from the court proceedings since last year and was not cooperating with the investigations. The prosecutor pointed out Tarun had not annexed to the petition a copy of special court's order declaring him a proclaimed offender and attaching his assets. According to prosecution, Tarun had sent money to Pakistan-based Chota Shakeel through hawala at the instance of film financier Bharat Shah. Police have recorded telephonic talks which reveal he had spoken six times to Dubai-based conduit bhatija on hawala deals.

Bureau Report