Chopper scam: Delhi court allows ED to interrogate Ratul Puri in Tihar

A Delhi court has allowed Enforcement Directorate to interrogate Mhya Presh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's nephew Ratul Puri in Tihar jail where he is lodged in connection with VVIP chopper scam case.

Special judge Arvind Kumar allowed ncy to visit Tihar jail on October 22 and 23 to interrogate Puri and confront him with some documents as some facts have come up during investigation into scam-related money laundering case.

court passed order after ncy submitted that "during investigation certain aspects of case have recently been uneard and it is very necessary to furr interrogate accused Ratul Puri and to record his statement... while confronting him with documents/concerned person".

"Considering facts and circumstances, ED officials namely Yogeshwar Sharma, Deputy Director, Gaurav Kumar Jain, Assistant Director, and Karun Bansal, AEO, are permitted to visit Tihar Jail on October 22 and 23 from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm to interrogate accused Ratul Puri.

"However, aforesaid interrogation shall be conducted by ED officials in presence of jail superintendent or any jail official authorised by him," judge said.

It also allowed ED's request to keep application in a sealed cover and t to supply it to accused after ncy said "it contains name of person who is to be confronted with Puri and if, at this st, his name is disclosed, re is likelihood that witness may be approached, which would frustrate very purpose of interrogation."

vocate Vijay Aggarwal, appearing for Puri, submitted that accused has objection to interrogation by ED and that he shall cooperate during investigation, if any.

However, counsel requested court to provide him copy of application filed by ED and to issue his production warrants, "so that counsel for accused could seek instructions from him on application".

"Since name of person who is to be confronted with accused is disclosed in application, I do t consider it fit to pass direction to ED to provide copy of application to accused as it may cause hindrance in investigation," court said.

It said that prejudice was going to be caused to accused because of n-supply of application.

court also permitted two counsel for accused to provide him legal assistance for half an hour daily.

" jail superintendent shall allow person whose name is mentioned in enclosed sealed envelope, to accompany with aforesaid ED officials. jail authorities shall make necessary arrangements in this regard," court said.