A former Uttar Pradesh legislator under probe in the National Rural Health Mission scam could end up facing money laundering charges as well. With a host of reports prepared by Central Board of Direct Taxes, Serious Frauds Investigation Office, Enforcement Directorate and CBI pointing to the ex-MlA Mohammad Iqbal’s role in possible money laundering, the Supreme Court on Monday arranged to send these reports to the Centre which will take a call on registering FIR in two weeks and inform the Court by August 16.
The Court’s directions came pursuant to a PIl filed by one Ranvir Singh alleging that Iqbal used profits from his illegal sand mining business to set up a University spread across 1700 acres in Uttar Pradesh. To avoid the eye of enforcement agencies from falling upon the trail of money, Iqbal transferred the money through 21 shell companies, alleged the petitioner.
Putting the investigating agencies on the trail of this money, the apex court was convinced as it said, “Very clearly, the money trail has been followed.” Asking the Centre what it had done to proceed against the politician, the bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud observed, “When something is in black and white nobody should feign any ignorance.”
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Maninder Singh who appeared for the Centre conveyed to the Court that the Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO) under Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) will register a case following which Enforcement Directorate will follow up by attaching properties and setting out on the money trail.
But he added that for the investigation to begin, the nodal Ministry had to grant sanction, which can take time. The bench ordered all the investigating agencies to send its reports to MCA within two days and directed that a decision be taken on the reports before August 16, next date of hearing.
Iqbal is already facing the heat in the NRHM scam and this will only add to his woes. Senior advocate Harin Raval who appeared for the PIl petitioner sought urgent orders as he complained that most of the 21 shell companies have sought fast track exit. If this is allowed to happen, the entire money trail will be eliminated.