Freelance Journalist Rajeev Sharma sent to 14 days Judicial Custody by Delhi Court for allegedly supplying confidential info to Chinese Officials

Freelance Journalist Rajeev Sharma has been sent to a 14 days Judicial Custody by a Delhi Court today for allegedly supplying confidential information to Chinese Officials.

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana had earlier reserved order on July 9 after the Enforcement Directorate had sought seven days of further remand.

Sharma was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on July 1, 2021 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for allegedly supplying confidential and sensitive information to Chinese officials for remuneration and compromising  national security of the Country.

Sharma has however submitted that he was innocent and the ED was conducting the investigation despite an investigation conducted by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police only to harass him.

The ED however said that investigation revealed that remuneration in the form of cash received by Rajeev Sharma and other unknown persons was being generated through hawala means by Mahipalpur based shell companies that were being run by chinese nationals along with a Nepali national.

It was further stated that apart from cash, huge transactions were made with various Chinese companies and some other trading companies in India which are being examined. 

"These Chinese companies were acting as a conduit for the Chinese Intelligence agencies to provide remuneration for persons like Rajeev Sharma indulged in criminal activities. Rajeev Sharma also received money through benami bank accounts in order to conceal his involvement in criminal activities", stated ED.

The Court has sought response from the ED on the bail application filed by Sharma within 2 days and accordingly listed the matter for hearing on July 16.

 

Case Title: Directorate of Enforcement v. Rajeev Sharma