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Synopsis

Aam Aadmi Party Minister Satyendra Jain on Monday sought withdrawal of the contempt plea filed against the Directorate of Enforcement, alleging that the agency leaked CCTV footage on the national news channels. His counsel also sought liberty to approach appropriate forum. 

Special Judge Vikas Dhull of the Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi allowed the withdrawal of the application, with liberty to approach the appropriate forum. 

The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by Jain, alleging that the Directorate of Enforcement leaked certain CCTV footage on the national news channels.

Jain last week appealed before a Delhi Court for a fair trial. Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra appearing for Jain contended that “We just want a fair trial. Even Ajmal Kasab was given that. I (Jain) am surely not worse than that”.

During the hearing, Mehra contended that “Even today, before the ED’s reply in the contempt plea, is presented before the court or is served to us, it has been leaked and their response is being circulated on the national news channels”. He even showed the court the screenshots of the news being run on channels. Mehra also stated that even last time, the affidavit of the Tihar Jail was leaked.

On the other hand, opposing the contempt plea, Public Prosecutor Zoheb Hossain appearing for ED contended that there has been no leak from the agency and submitted a list of jail authorities of Tihar who have either been transferred or have been suspended. He added that the list includes top authorities as well.

Mehra alleged that ED’s response being leaked and circulated in the national news channels has been done by the agency itself, as this could not be done by the jail authorities. He requested the court to transfer the case to the High Court and also requested to conduct a free and fair inquiry into the leakage of the videos and reply of the investigating agency. Mehra suggested that a retired judge be assigned to conduct the inquiry. Furthermore, he argued that prejudice is being caused to us (Jain) every second.

Hossain contended that they (Jain’s counsel) were not questioning the veracity of the video, they were just questioning the leak. He argued that the pen drive containing the CCTV footage of the Tihar Jail was taken from the jail authorities, and further contended that there are several repositories involved.

Hossain also submitted that Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju will be leading the case, and due to personal difficulty is not available this week. Hossain requested the matter to be heard next week sometime.

On November 17, the court denied bail to Aam Aadmi Party Minister Satyendra Jain and the two co-accused Ankush Jain and Vaibhav Jain in a Money Laundering Case.

Case Title: Directorate of Enforcement v. Satyendar Kumar Jain and Ors.