Top Court quashes money laundering case against Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

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Synopsis

In 2017 the Income tax department had conducted a search action at various premises in Delhi, following which the ED had registered a case and initiated proceedings against the Karnataka minister among others

Supreme Court of India today dismissed the money laundering proceedings initiated against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Vishwanathan has also quashed the proceedings against Shivakumar's aide Anjaneya Hanumanthaiah.

The instant special leave petitions were filed by the Congress leader and his aide against a 2019 Karnataka High Court verdict upholding the summons issued to them by the Enforcement Directorate.

ED has registered a case taking cognizance of a charge sheet filed by the Income Tax Department against Shivkumar and others over charges of alleged tax evasion and hawala transactions worth crores.

In November last year Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi, had sanctioned Shivakumar's overseas travel while acknowledging his political standing as an eight-time MLA from Karnataka and his current role as Deputy Chief Minister, the judge deemed the likelihood of him fleeing from India as remote.

Despite facing accusations in the money laundering case, the Deputy CM's application highlighted his past international travels and consistent return to India, asserting that he posed no flight risk. It also noted the completion of the investigation, with a prosecution complaint already filed before the court.

Case Title: DK SHIVAKUMAR vs. THE PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR OF INCOME TAX (INV) AND ORS