Graft case: ED grills Sonia aide Patel
■ Probe team visits Cong leader’s home as he evaded summons twice
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday questioned senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel in connection with its multi-crore money laundering probe involving Gujaratbased firm Sterling Biotech and its promoters. ■
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday questioned senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel in connection with its multi-crore money laundering probe involving Gujarat-based firm Sterling Biotech and its promoters, Nitin Sandesara and Chetan Sandesara.
According to sources a three-member team reached Patel’s home at 23, Mother Teresa Crescent in the Lutyens zone of central Delhi at around 11:30 am. The ED officials were seen carrying files and wearing masks and gloves as precautionary measures against coronavirus spread.
“Patel’s statement was recorded under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). His (Patel) alleged links with the Sandesara brothers are under the scanner of the agency in connection with the case”, sources said. The ED had summoned Patel (70) twice for questioning in the case but the Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat later cited prevailing Covid-19 guidelines that advises senior citizens to stay indoors in order to remain safe from the pandemic, they added.
The agency then assured the Congress party treasurer that all care will be taken while he is questioned at its office but it was pointed out by his legal team that there are media reports about coronavirus cases being found in the ED headquarters too. The agency then told him that they are willing to visit his home as taking the probe forward in the case was important. Subsequently, the time for home visit was fixed and the agency informed Patel that they will send the investigating officer of the case to him for questioning.
The agency, last year, had questioned Patel’s son Faisal and son-in-law Irfan Siddiqui in this case and recorded their statements. The two were questioned in context with the statement of one Sunil Yadav, an employee of the Sandesara group, who earlier recorded his statement before the agency.
◗ A 3-MEMBER team reached Patel’s home at 23, Mother Teresa Crescent in the Lutyens zone of central Delhi at around 11:30 am. The RD officials were seen carrying files and wearing masks and gloves