Congress leader DK Shivakumar sent to judicial custody till Oct 1

A Delhi court on Tuesday sent Karnataka Congress leer D K Shivakumar, arrested in a money laundering case by Enforcement Directorate, to 14-day judicial custody. Special judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar directed ED to take Shivakumar to hospital first and to see wher doctor suggests mitting him re. "It is directed that accused be first taken to hospital and only after his medical condition is opined to be stable, he be sent to judicial custody in Central Jail, Tihar... accused is remanded to judicial custody till October 1," judge said in order.

court has listed Shivakumar's bail plea for hearing on Wednesday at 3.30 pm. In case MLA is mitted to hospital, his custody be taken over by Superintendent of Tihar jail and doctors hand over his custody only on his discharge, judge said. "In case, he is mitted in hospital, his custody shall be taken over by Superintendent Central jail, Tihar who shall provide guards for accused. In case of his mission in hospital, doctors shall hand over his custody to Superintendent, Central jail, Tihar only on his discharge," he said.

RE | DK Shivakumar asks his supporters to t visit him in New Delhi

judge also said that in case Shivakumar is taken to Tihar jail, n authorities permit him to take his medicines subject to approval of doctor on duty in jail. court took into consideration MLA's medical records which said he suffers from hypertension and fluctuating blood pressure, has undergone angioplasty earlier and is on a heavy medical dos. probe ncy claimed in court that his interrogation was yet to be completed and sought permission from judge to question him during judicial custody. ditional Solicitor General (ASG) K M Nataraj and Special Public Prosecutors Amit Mahajan, N K Matta and Nitesh Rana, appearing for ED, told court that Shivakumar's health condition did t allow his effective questioning.

RE | Shivakumar's daughter reaches ED office, quizzed about Singapore trip

Congress leer's counsels opposed ED plea for judicial custody and sought his bail on medical grounds. Senior vocates A M Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Shivakumar, submitted in court that MLA's health condition was very serious and he was close to a heart attack; refore, he be granted bail. ASG told court that Shivakumar was taken to hospital as directed by court and due to his aliment, his interrogation could t be continued. Singhvi furr said that only Rs 41 lakh was recovered from Shivakumar and t Rs 8.5 crore, as alleged by ED and w surprisingly figure has become Rs 143 crore.

RE | DK Shivakumar can cause loss of evidence if released on bail: ED

He alleged that ED is biased and mala fide and is lying before court about investigation. ncy's claim about 317 bank accounts was only to spoil Shivakumar's im in media and public, he ded. "Fraudulent things are being represented by ED to prejudice court. Imaginary figures of money are being quoted by ED to misle court. Only Rs 41 lakh recovered from me. Rs 8.5 crore was t recovered from me as claimed by ncy. w it surprisingly becomes Rs 143 crore," Singhvi told court. He furr stated that value and amount of Shivakumar's property h to go up over time, and also inherited his far's property.

Rohatgi, also representing Shivakumar and seeking bail for him, said he was a 7-time MLA and t a flight risk. It is a case based on documentary evidence and re was ground to keep Shivakumar in custody as he has criminal antecedent, he said. "Shivakumar was seven times MLA and spent life in public cause and is a public figure. He is t a flight risk and has roots in society. He has criminal antecedents," Rohatgi said.

RE | Shivakumar arrest: Thousands of Vokkaligas protest in Bengaluru

recovery of money, which me basis of case by Income Tax Department, was t a serious offence considered under law, he said, ding that ED h lodged case based on I-T department's FIR. Rohatgi furr said that this is a case of granting bail and court can impose conditions; if t, n granting medical bail to Shivakumar should be considered. Opposing bail plea, ED said that it h taken care of his medical conditions. It also alleged that laundering of money took place through bank accounts of MLA and his family members. Shivakumar, arrested on September 3 by ED in money laundering case, was produced before court Tuesday on expiry of his custodial interrogation.