A special court in Lucknow dealing with cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has officially taken note of a prosecution complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate. The case involves serious allegations of financial misconduct related to a scheme for distributing artificial limbs and equipment over a decade ago.
The Core Allegations and Accused
The Enforcement Directorate's complaint targets the Dr Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, along with Louise Khurshid, the wife of senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, and several other individuals. The central accusation is that government funds were misused during the financial years 2009-10 under the guise of distributing aids and appliances to the disabled.
The federal probe agency is seeking the confiscation of properties worth Rs 45.92 lakh and the conviction of all accused named in the complaint, which was formally filed before the court on August 11.
Origin of the Probe and Police Cases
The ED's money laundering investigation did not emerge in isolation. It was initiated based on a foundation of 17 separate First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Economic Offences Wing of the Uttar Pradesh Police. These police cases initially named Pratyush Shukla, described as a representative of the trust, and other associated persons.
Subsequently, the state police filed chargesheets in all 17 cases. The chargesheets implicated Athar Farooqui, also known as Mohammad Athar, who served as the Secretary of the Trust at the relevant time, and Louise Khurshid, who was the Project Director for the scheme in question.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The court's decision to take cognisance of the ED's prosecution complaint marks a critical legal step forward. It means the judge has found sufficient prima facie evidence in the complaint to proceed with a trial against the accused under the stringent PMLA laws.
This development paves the way for the court to issue formal summons to the accused individuals and the trust, requiring them to appear before it and answer the charges framed by the investigating agency. The case now enters the judicial phase, where evidence will be examined in detail.
The allegations revolve around a scheme meant for social good—providing artificial limbs and equipment to those in need. The enforcement agency's case contends that the funds allocated for this humanitarian purpose were diverted, constituting an offence of money laundering. The court's upcoming proceedings will be closely watched as they unfold in Lucknow.
