Moin Qureshi extorted money on behalf of CBI directors AP Singh and Ranjit Sinha, claims report

The chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate against businessman Moin Qureshi has alleged that he acted as a extortionist on behalf of former CBI directors AP Singh and Ranjit Sinha, CNN News18 reported.

The report said that the chargesheet filed against Qureshi in a PMLA court stated that Qureshi used his influence with the CBI directors to help many accused in criminal cases to get undue relief.

Qureshi, a meat exporter,  was arrested by the ED on 25 August in a 2016 case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for alleged illegal forex dealings and tax evasion. Qureshi is also alleged to be involved in hawala transactions through Delhi hawala operators.

According to the financial crimes probe agency, Qureshi was under investigation for allegedly remitting funds through hawala channels to Dubai, London, and a few other destinations in Europe.

CNN News18 reported that Qureshi operated at least 45 “benami” foreign bank accounts to launder money and three shell companies in tax havens.

Reacting to the expose by the TV channel, former CBI director DR Kathikeyan said, “Charges filed by the ED are serious and they need to be investigated. We can’t come to conclusions based on statement by witnesses.”

Whether it affects the credibility of the premier investigation agency, the former director said claimed that such charges would only affect the credibility of the two accused former directors.

“CBI consists of many officers who are known for their diligence and integrity. Even today, it is a premier organisation for investigating such crimes in India,” Karthikeyan said.

On Monday,  special judge Arun Bhardwaj took cognisance of the chargesheet and issued production warrant for 25 October against Qureshi, who is in judicial custody.

“In view of the averments made in the complaint (chargesheet), cognisance of the offence under. Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is taken against the accused. Accused 1 (Qureshi) is already remanded to judicial custody till 25 October. Let him be produced in court now on 25 October, the date already fixed. Production warrants be issued for his appearance before the court for the set date,” the judge said.

During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor NK Matta, appearing for ED, argued that further investigation against other persons was also being undertaken.

The ED complaint had substantiated the charges of alleged money laundering against Qureshi.

The probe agency had earlier claimed that “the witnesses have confirmed in their statements that they have delivered crores of rupees for Qureshi and his associates through his employees and one of the witnesses has stated that nearly Rs 1.75 crore have been exported by the accused from him and his friend in lieu of the help provided to him in a CBI case.”

Earlier, Qureshi had moved a bail application claiming he was falsely implicated and there was no possibility of him fleeing from justice as he had deep roots in the society.

With inputs from agencies