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Synopsis

Mumbai-based former TV anchor Pinky Irani has moved the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court’s order denying her bail in connection with Rs. 200 crore money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

Counsel for Irani contended, “Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) has been imposed on me. My Lords! I was arrested on November 30, 2022, on the same allegation in respect of Rs. 74.60 lakhs. I was arrested by PMLA authorities and on the same allegations MCOCA was also imposed on me”.

The counsel stated, “Let them (Delhi Police) file a reply. I am informed that the other matters related to the case are coming up on April 19. I will be arguing on a pure question of law and I don't think we need to require any documents in this regard, except the allegations. Simple issue! My lord! My humble submission is whether MCOCA will be applicable to me or not. I am in custody since Nov 2022.”

On the contrary, Additional Standing Counsel (ASC) Nandita Rao appeared for the Delhi Police and sought four weeks to file a reply in the plea. “My lords! We'll need time as she is a co-accused in the Sukesh Chandrashekhar matter. We are humbly requesting for at least 4 weeks to file the detailed status report, because there is a confessional statement, there are recoveries, there are lots of documents that we'll have to bring on record”, Rao submitted.

The bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma stated, “The petitioner seeks bail in FIR No. 208/2021. Counsel submits that the trial court by the impugned order dated March 4, 2023, has wrongly dismissed the bail application. He submits that even MCOCA is not attributed, in the present case”.

Accordingly, the court issued notice to the Delhi Police; directed them to file a reply in four weeks, and listed the matter for further hearing on May 23, 2023.

“Issue notice. Ms. Nandita Rao accepts notice and seeks 4 week time to reply/status report. Let the status report be filed, with a copy to the counsel of Petitioner. Place it on May 23 for further hearing”, the court ordered.

Irani is allegedly Sukesh’s aide who introduced him to Actress Jacqueline Fernandes and many other celebrities. She allegedly received crores from Sukesh for arranging meetings inside Tihar Jail.

It is to be noted that Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Shailendra Malik of Patiala House Court had sent Irani to judicial custody in December 2022. While sending her, the court had taken note of the submissions of the Economic Offences Wing (EoW) of Delhi Police.

The EOW had stated that to prevent Irani from tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses the judicial remand was needed. It had also stated that it was needed to prevent Irani from committing any further offence, besides for conducting a proper investigation.

According to sources, Irani used to portray Sukesh as a business tycoon and she was instrumental in facilitating certain Bollywood personalities getting in touch with the main accused Sukesh Chandrashekhar, in the extortion case.

Case Title: Pinky Irani v. Govt of NCT of Delhi

Statue: The Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act