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Synopsis

Trinamool Congress Leader Anubrata Mondal’s daughter Sukanya Mondal moved Delhi High Court on Wednesday seeking the quashing of the ED complaint as well as the consequential proceedings in connection with the multi-crore Cattle Smuggling Case.

Counsel for Sukanya submitted, “It's a quashing petition, seeking the quashing of the ED complaint as well as consequential proceedings. I am also challenging the arrest”.

“On the basis of my lord, primarily on one ground. My case is squarely covered under one judgment of the Supreme Court, in Vijay Madan Lal Mohan Lal Choudhary, which says that if the accused is not involved for the predicate offence…cannot be involved in the scheduled offence”, he contended.

Mondal's counsel submitted that for being prosecuted for money laundering as per Section 3 of PMLA, Sukanya has to be accused of the scheduled offence. He also stated that  Mondal's father is accused in the CBI case- in the scheduled offence, and that no one except her is accused in the ED case.

On the contrary, the counsel for ED contended that Sukanya's bail is pending before the Trial Court which is scheduled for hearing on May 26.

Taking note of the submissions made, the bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma posted the matter for further hearing on August 9, 2023.

It is alleged that Sukanya, a teacher in the West Bengal government, was actively involved in business activities as per data collected so far and the total cash proceeds of crime deposited in her various bank account and her business entities were worth several crores.

In related news, the trial court dismissed the TMC leader Anubrata Mondal’s default bail plea and the same is pending for consideration before the Delhi High Court. ED arrested him in the allegedly multi-crore cattle smuggling scam after questioning him inside the Asansol Jail where he is lodged.

Case Title: Sukanya Mondal v. Directorate of Enforcement through its Assistant Director