New Delhi: The Karkardooma Court is likely to hear today a plea filed by Amit Gupta, a co-accused in the money laundering case pertaining to the Delhi riots, to turn an approver in the case. Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat will look into the proceedings. The main accused in the Delhi riots case is Tahir Hussain.
Petition filed against media trial withdrawn
In the previous hearing on 8 March, it was said on Tahir Hussain's behalf that he has no problem with the investigating agency, but has issues with the media trial. Tahir Hussain's lawyer had shown a clipping of the news in the court with a disclaimer mentioning that the report is based on the supplementary charge sheet. It was in this context, that the court issued a detailed order regarding media reporting in UAPA related cases. To this, Tahir Hussain's lawyer said that there was no use in filing a petition and requested withdrawal, which the court accepted.
Derogatory news being run against Tahir Hussain
During the hearing on January 28, lawyer Rizwan said that derogatory reports were being run against Tahir Hussain in the media. He said that even before the court could decide, the media is running news showing Tahir Hussain guilty. He added that Tahir Hussain is a prisoner under consideration, but not a convict and that the allegations made in the charge sheet are merely allegations, not substantiated facts. Rizwan had asked the court to order media organizations to stop conducting trials against Tahir Hussain as it violates his right to a fair trial.
Accused of laundering Rs 1.10 crore
The ED named Tahir Hussain and Amit Gupta as accused under Section 3 of the Money Laundering Act. On October 16, 2020, ED's Assistant Director Pankaj Kumar Khatri had even filed a charge sheet in the case accusing the duo of embezzling money towards rioting in north-east Delhi. The investigation agency also revealed that arms worth Rs 1.25 crore were purchased for the riots. According to the ED, Tahir Hussain and his associates committed money laundering of Rs 1.10 crore. Also, the money collected for the riots was put into the sit-in demonstrations held against Citizenship Amendment Act through a fake company.
Weapons purchased for riots
The preparation for the riots began in January and the amount was used to buy weapons such as petrol, acid, pistols, bullets, swords and knives. As per the charge sheet, Tahir Hussain was supported by a co-accused Amit Gupta in whose name a fake company was opened and the money transferred. The charge sheet also mentions that Tahir Hussain's conspiracy led to over 200 people being injured and 53 people losing their lives in the February riots.
Arrested on August 29
On 17 August 2020, the court took cognizance of the ED's charge sheet. The ED said that the investigation in the matter is underway and that the supplementary charge sheet will be filed later. The ED had filed a money laundering case against Tahir Hussain on March 11, 2020, and arrested him on August 29, 2020. It may be noted that on August 21, 2020, the Karkardooma court had taken cognizance of the charge sheet filed by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police in connection with the killing of IB officer Ankit Sharma during the Delhi riots.
