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The Delhi High Court today sought response from the Enforcement Directorate in a bail plea filed by Freelance Journalist Rajeev Sharma in a money laundering case linked to alleged leak and supply of confidential information to Chinese intelligence officials.

The single judge bench of Justice Mukta Gupta has granted two weeks time to the ED to file its response and listed the matter for next hearing on September 9.

Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur appearing for Sharma submitted before the Court that Sharma was arrested under the Official Secrets Act while being associated with South Asia Monitor. He further informed the Court that Sharma was granted bail in that case.

In the present case under the PMLA, Mathur submitted that Sharma was cooperating and had even furnished the account details to the ED.

Mathur submitted that since the Official Secrets Act was not a scheduled offence under the PMLA, the ED had roped him on the basis of section 120 B for criminal  conspiracy.

Advocate Zoheb Hussain appearing for ED submitted that Sharma received cash from a shell company run by the Chinese and investigation was ongoing. It was further informed that an amount of Rs 48 lakhs was found till date the investigation till date, however investigation was still going on.

A special court on July 17 had rejected the bail application of freelance Sharma observing that “The investigation is at a crucial juncture as the complete money trail is yet to be traced and releasing the applicant/accused on bail at this stage would not be salubrious to the cause of justice, as the applicant/accused would definitely attempt to wipe off the footprints and cover up the traces.”

Sharma had been arrested by the Delhi Police last September for allegedly supplying confidential information to Chinese intelligence officials.

Case Title: Rajeev Sharma vs Enforcement Directorate