Siddaramaiah Moves Karnataka High Court, Challenges ED Summons In Money Laundering Case
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India - October 19, 2023:
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday moved the Karnataka High Court, challenging the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons in a money laundering case. The ED had summoned Siddaramaiah to appear before it on October 21 in connection with the case.
Background of the Case:
The case relates to alleged irregularities in the award of a contract for the construction of a new building for the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters in Bengaluru. The ED is investigating the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency had earlier conducted searches at the premises of Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders in connection with the case.
Siddaramaiah’s Contentions:
In his petition, Siddaramaiah has contended that the ED summons are “illegal and arbitrary” and that the agency is “misusing its powers” to target him. He has argued that the allegations against him are politically motivated and that there is no evidence to support the charges.
ED’s Response:
The ED has not yet filed its response to Siddaramaiah’s petition. However, the agency has maintained that it is conducting a fair and impartial investigation into the case and that it has evidence to support the charges against Siddaramaiah.
Next Steps:
The Karnataka High Court is expected to hear Siddaramaiah’s petition in the coming days. The court will then decide whether to quash the ED summons or allow the agency to proceed with its investigation.
Conclusion:
The outcome of the case will have significant implications for Siddaramaiah and the Congress party. If the court upholds the ED summons, Siddaramaiah will be forced to appear before the agency and answer questions about his alleged involvement in the money laundering case. This could further damage his reputation and weaken the Congress party’s position in Karnataka.
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