PMLA case against Virbhadra: Court denies bail to LIC agent

New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) A special court today dismissedthe bail plea of an LIC agent, arrested in a money launderingcase involving Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singhand others, saying there were "more than sufficient" materialto show his involvement in the offence. "The material collected during investigation till date ismore than sufficient to reach the conclusion of activeinvolvement of applicant (Anand Chauhan) in the offence ofmoney laundering," Special Judge Vinod Kumar said. The judge said, "I am of the opinion that it cannot besaid that the material against the applicant (Chauhan) is notsubstantial enough or that he is only at the periphery of theoffence. Accordingly, in view of the stringent provisions ofPrevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), I am not inclinedto grant bail to the applicant." Chauhan was arrested from Chandigarh on July 9 under theprovisions of PMLA as he was allegedly not cooperating withinvestigating agency Enforcement Directorate (ED). In its order, the court also asked the probe agency tofollow the practices adopted by other probe agencies like CBIlike maintaining of case diaries, arrival-departure registerswhich could be of immence benefit for the agency. The ED had opposed the bail plea, saying there were ampleevidences against Chauhan and there was serious apprehensionthat he could tamper with evidence if released on bail. "The persons against whom the case was filed are stillholding very high posts. He should not be granted bail as itwill hamper the further course of investigation," the agencyhad told the court. Chauhan had sought bail on the ground that the caseagainst him was documentary in nature and there was no need tokeep him in custody. He had further said that he had joinedand cooperated in the probe. While arguing for bail, his counsel had submitted that hewas not the "fountainhead" for generating the money. "Neitherthe money was his (Chauhan), nor he was the beneficiary. Hewas arrested on July 9 while no other accused has beenarrested in the case yet. Isn’t it a dubious way of the probeagency," the counsel had asked. (More) PTI UK MNLARC