Shift ex-directors of Unitech from Tihar to Mumbai jails: SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered immediate transfer of former Unitech directors Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra from Tihar Jail to Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail and Taloja Central Jail on a report by the Enforcement Directing alleging collusion of the jail authorities in helping the accused engage in illegal activities within the prison.
Expressing its displeasure over the way they are allegedly operating from Tihar jail, the apex court also directed the Delhi police commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit a report in four weeks.
The ED said it had unearthed a “secret underground office” in Delhi which was being operated by erstwhile Unitech founder Ramesh Chandra and visited by his sons -- Sanjay and Ajay while on parole or bail.
The agency, which has been investigating money laundering charges against the Chandras’ and Unitech Ltd, said that both Sanjay and Ajay had rendered the entire judicial custody otiose as they had been freely communicating, instructing their officials and disposing of their properties from inside the jail.
A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah was informed by additional solicitor general Madhavi Divan, appearing for the ED, that Chandras’ had asked their officials outside the jail to communicate their instructions to those outside.
“During one of our search and seizure operations, we have unearthed a secret underground office, which is being used by Ramesh Chandra and visited by his sons when they are out on parole or bail.
“We have recovered hundreds of original sale deeds from that office, hundreds of digital signatures and several computers which contain sensitive data with regard to their properties in India and abroad,” Divan told the bench.
She said the probe agency had submitted two status reports in sealed cover to the court and had provisionally attached Unitech Ltd properties worth ₹600 crore both in India and abroad.
Divan said the agency had found a very “intricate web of money trail” through shell companies and the properties were being disposed of in real time, creating a hurdle in the investigation.
“They (Chandras’) have been operating from inside the jail premises. They have rendered the entire judicial custody otiose. They are freely communicating and passing on instructions with the help of people deputed outside the jail premises. ED has found that they have even tried to influence a “dummy director” when he was being interrogated by the agency”, Divan said.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the Chandras, said that nothing was done against the jail manual. The top court said it was not hearing the Chandras at present and would first hear the ED’S submission.