A Panchkula court on Tuesday sent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionary Deepak Singla to one-day judicial custody after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case. The court also deferred the hearing on the ED's remand plea and defence applications until Wednesday.
Arrest and Production in Court
Singla, who was arrested in New Delhi on Monday, was produced before additional district and sessions judge Bikramjit Arora, as Special PMLA judge Vijayant Sehgal was on leave. The ED sought 10-day custody of Singla, claiming that custodial interrogation was necessary in connection with an alleged Rs 150-crore bank fraud and proceeds of crime linked to the case.
Arguments and Remand
Defence counsel opposed the ED's plea and moved separate applications before the court. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court remanded Singla to judicial custody until Wednesday. The matter will now be heard by Special PMLA and CBI judge Vijayant Sehgal.
ED Searches and Allegations
Singla was arrested following ED searches at premises linked to him and alleged hawala operators in Delhi and Goa on Monday. Sources said searches were also conducted at a flat in Dona Paula near Panaji. According to ED sources, the money laundering case pertains to an alleged bank loan fraud in which Singla and some of his family members are accused of defrauding Oriental Bank of Commerce of over Rs 150 crore.
ED officials alleged that Singla was suspected of handling hawala operations for movement of funds between Delhi and Goa. The ED had earlier arrested other accused in the case, who are currently out on bail.
