The Supreme Court has directed Haryana Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the money laundering case filed against him.
However, a bench comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta orally granted protection to Chhoker, an MLA representing the Samalkha assembly constituency of Panipat district in Haryana. They instructed the probe agency to submit an application before the court if his arrest is deemed necessary.
Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was apprised by the bench that while they are not formally recording the protection, they advise the agency to seek court approval before any potential arrest. Raju informed the bench during Wednesday’s hearing that Chhoker, who has been evading authorities and hindering the investigation, may face arrest depending on the evidence gathered by the ED.
Despite initial summons and a subsequent non-bailable arrest warrant, Chhoker failed to cooperate with the probe, leading to legal proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Chhoker, requested leniency considering the ongoing election period and assured the court of his client’s cooperation with the investigation.
The court ordered Chhoker to appear before the Enforcement Directorate in New Delhi on April 12, 2024, and on subsequent dates as required. Noting that the ED has refrained from arresting Chhoker since 2021, the bench directed the agency to inform the court prior to any arrest attempt. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 6.
Chhoker’s appeal before the Supreme Court challenges the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s February 26 decision to uphold the money laundering case against him, despite the quashing of the predicate offence. Chhoker contends that without the predicate offence, there is no basis for the ED’s case.
Last year, on July 25, the ED conducted raids on multiple properties associated with Chhoker and his family as part of an investigation into alleged real estate fraud, leading to the registration of the case against him in 2021.
