New Delhi. Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has not got any relief at present in the money laundering case. The Supreme Court has refused to hear his bail plea directly in the new case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). However, the court referred the petition to Allahabad High Court (Allahabad High Court) has directed for early hearing. Also, the High Court has been asked to pass an interim order on November 16 itself. After this decision, the matter of Azam Khan’s release will depend on the decision of the High Court.
Bail petition sent to Allahabad High Court
Instead of hearing Azam Khan’s petition, the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi transferred it to Allahabad High Court. The Supreme Court requested the Chief Justice of the High Court to list the case before the Division Bench on November 16. The top court also directed that the High Court pass an interim order on the petition on the same day.
Kapil Sibal raised questions on ED’s action
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared in the court on behalf of Azam Khan. He questioned the action of the Enforcement Directorate and accused it of being motivated by malicious intent. Sibal argued that when Azam Khan was about to be released from jail, he was arrested in a new case. He alleged that this action was taken with the aim of keeping him in jail during the elections.
Money laundering case related to Johar Trust
According to Azam Khan’s lawyer, the 78-year-old SP leader was produced before the Ghaziabad special court on November 1 in a money laundering case related to Johar Trust. The Enforcement Directorate arrested him in this case on October 31. This arrest took place when Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam Khan were about to be released from Rampur jail after getting bail in the alleged case of possessing two PAN cards.
At present, eyes are fixed on the decision of the High Court
Instead of giving its own decision on bail, the Supreme Court has sent the case to Allahabad High Court. Now the hearing to be held on November 16 will be important. Only the interim order of the High Court will clarify whether Azam Khan will get relief or remain in jail.