DK Shivakumar to face ED in court: Details of their arguments accessed

As Congress Strongman DK Shivakumar’s ED custody comes to an end on Friday, both sides will present their arguments before the magistrate. While Shivakumar’s legal counsel, led by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, will appeal for bail, the ED will ask for a continuation of their custody for another 4-5 days, sources exclusively told Republic TV.

Congress MP and Shivakumar’s brother, DK Suresh who has been camping in Delhi has been the liaison between the legal team and Shivakumar the last few days. Republic learned that the advocates arguing on behalf of Shivakumar will say he will continue cooperating with ED officials even after the bail is granted to him.

Shivakumar’s counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi to highlight Shivakumar’s health conditions as the reason for bail to be given. DKS is currently admitted to RML hospital in Delhi after he complained of chest ache while in ED custody. He is currently receiving treatment for high blood pressure and diarrhea.

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Legal team to additional emphasize that he has been cooperating with all the questions of ED, before and after the arrest. They are to reiterate that the accused is a former minister and a has been in public life for over four decades, is not a flight risk and will be accessible whenever ED and IT wants to question him. 

ED, on the other hand, will oppose bail to the former Karnataka minister and is expected to seek his custody for another four to five days. The ED had questioned the daughter of Shivakumar, Aishwarya, who is a partner and a trustee in many family-owned enterprises and companies. ED to argue that granting bail to Shivakumar hamper the questioning

Moreover, the Karnataka High Court has given protection from arrest by ED to three of the co-accused who are close aides of Shivakumar- Anjaneya Hanumnathiah, Sunil Kumar Sharma and Sachin Narayan. ED to argue that this immunity is till the 17th of September and if Shivakumar is out on bail, he can influence their questioning.

DK Shivakumar was arrested by ED officials on September 3rd on charged of non-cooperation after 6 days of questioning. He is the prime accused in an ECIR filed by ED on charges of money laundering and criminal conspiracy.

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