Court rejects ED plea for challan copy

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 2

In a setback for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a Ludhiana court has rejected an application filed by the investigating agency to procure a copy of the challan filed in the Rs2,100 crore Ludhiana City Centre scam from the office of SSP, Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana.

The court observed that there was no provision of law to give the copy of the challan and the matter was between the two prosecuting agencies, the Vigilance Bureau and the Enforcement Directorate. The VB had already refused to provide a copy of the challan to the ED. Sources say the ED may now move the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The ED had registered an enforcement case information report (ECIR) in 2013 and had sought approval to investigate the scam, which involves high-profile personalities, including former CM Capt Amarinder Singh.

ED officials said the probe could not be started because they did not have the copy of the challan.

Drug case: Kin of CPS Avinash summoned

Having quizzed Akali Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Avinash Chander thrice, the Enforcement Directorate has now summoned his wife Santosh Kler and brother Steven Kler on April 8 in connection with the Jagdish Bhola drug racket. Chander had last been questioned by ED officials on March 8 for 11 hours regarding his properties, movable assets and income tax details.