Delhi Riots 2020: Court Issues Summons to Special Director ED

Karkardooma Court of Delhi issued a summons to the Special Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) due to the Prosecution’s non-appearance in a money laundering case involving former Aam Aadmi Party Councillor Tahir Hussain.

The case pertains to the North-East Delhi Riots of 2020. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Amitabh Rawat directed the Special Director of ED to appear in person on December 8, 2023.

The court expressed concern about the repeated non-appearance of the prosecution, emphasizing that despite assurances, it occurred again.

The court highlighted the prior directive to provide an advance copy to the accused’s counsel, noting the absence of compliance. ASJ Rawat ordered the Special Director of Enforcement to appear in person on December 8 at 2:00 PM.

Furthermore, the court instructed the physical production of accused Tahir Hussain from Judicial Custody on the same date.

This decision stemmed from an application filed by Tahir Hussain on November 18, 2023, for which the prosecution had requested additional time to submit a reply.

Counsel advocate Naveen Kumar Malhotra, representing Tahir Hussain, informed the court that no advance copy of the reply had been provided.

On January 11, 2023, the court framed charges against Tahir Hussain in the money laundering case, accusing him of funding the 2020 Delhi riots through laundered money.

Tahir Hussain, who has pleaded not guilty, faces multiple cases related to the North-East Delhi Violence.

The Delhi High Court had previously dismissed his plea challenging the trial court’s order on framing charges in the money laundering case.

The trial court’s order on framing charges highlighted Tahir Hussain’s alleged involvement in a conspiracy to fraudulently withdraw money through fake transactions, linking the funds to the riots.

Tahir Hussain is accused of deriving property from criminal activities associated with the scheduled offense, constituting money laundering.

According to the Delhi Police, Tahir Hussain is a prime accused in the North-East Delhi Violence of February 2020.

Tahir Hussain faces allegations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with the Enforcement Directorate registering a complaint against him in connection with the alleged funding of riots.

His counsel argues that the case lacks grounds for money laundering, asserting that the charges are based on a transaction of Rs. 1.5 crore involving fake invoices.

The defence contends that the case, if any, pertains only to GST violations related to transactions through fake and bogus invoices.