Probe Agency's Response Sought On Bail Plea Of Journalist In Money Laundering Case

Justice Mukta Gupta directed the agency to file its status report within two weeks and clarify the journalist's connection with the allegedly illegal financial transactions.

The Delhi High Court Thursday sought Enforcement Directorate's response on the bail plea by Delhi-based freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma who was arrested in connection with a money-laundering probe linked to alleged leakage and supply of sensitive information to Chinese intelligence officers. Justice Mukta Gupta directed the agency to file its status report within two weeks and clarify the journalist's connection with the allegedly illegal financial transactions. "Please tell your officers to justify the connection with the petitioner. If he is in receipt of money from shell companies, it is an illegal offences. But there has to be admissible evidence to connect him," the judge told the ED's counsel. ED counsel Zoheb Hossain stated that Sharma received cash from a shell company run by the Chinese and investigation was ongoing.