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New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi court accepts ED closure in CWG 2010 money laundering case; ends 13-year probe
NEW DELHI: The 13 year-old, 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) corruption case has come to a close as a Delhi Court officially accepted the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) decision to end its investigation into alleged money laundering linked to the event. The case initially gained attention due to allegations against Suresh Kalmadi, the former Chairman of the CWG Organising Committee and Lalit Bhanot, the former Secretary General, along with other persons. Special judge Sanjeev Aggarwal of the Rouse Avenue Court pointed out that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had already closed the related corruption case, which had led the ED to begin its money laundering investigation. The ED's report also named several key figures, including Vijay Kumar Gautam, the then COO of the CWG Organizing Committee, A K Matto, the treasurer, as well as the company Event Knowledge Service (EKS) and its CEO, Craig Gordon MeLatchey. The allegations revolved around financial misconduct in awarding two major contracts for the Games, which were said to have led to illegal profits for certain parties while causing losses to the Organising Committee. Judge Aggarwal, in accepting the ED's closure report, explained that no crime related to money laundering under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) could be established due to the lack of criminal proceeds. The investigation also found no evidence of any offence under Section 2(1)(y) of the PMLA, which defines scheduled offences. The evidence gathered showed that no act of money laundering had occurred as per the PMLA's stipulations. Despite extensive investigations by the ED, the prosecution was unable to provide proof of any offence under Section 3 of the PMLA, which carries penalties under Section 4 of the same law. As a result, the court accepted the ED's closure report and concluded that the investigation could go no further. In 2016, a special court had accepted the CBI's closure report in a related corruption case. This case involved officials from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and a private company, among others. The CBI found that its investigation had not uncovered enough evidence to support the allegations against the individuals named. The CBI had concluded in 2014 that no incriminating evidence was found and the allegations could not be proven. With both the ED and CBI failing to substantiate the claims, the case has now ended. PFI leader OMA Salam gets custody parole The Delhi High Court on Monday granted custody parole to OMA Salam, the former chairman of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI), so that he could travel to his hometown in Kerala to perform religious and family rites after the death of his daughter, a medical student. Justice Ravinder Dudeja considered the arguments put forward and allowed Salam three days of custody parole, giving him six hours of supervised release each day. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed a longer parole period, raising concerns that Salam's high standing within PFI could put pressure on state resources.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Delhi High Court grants 3-day custody parole to PFI leader OMA Salam
The Delhi High Court on Monday (April 28, 2025) allowed Popular Front of India leader OMA Salam to travel to Kerala on custody parole of three days to perform certain rituals in relation to the death of his daughter last year. The court granted three-day custody parole of six hours each day to the PFI chairman and directed him not to use mobile phone or have any public engagement during this duration. The court also said the expenses for the travel would be borne by Salam. Salam, arrested in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case against the proscribed organisation and its members, sought permission to travel in custody to his hometown in Kerala for performing certain ceremonies for 15 days following his daughter's death last year. Custody parole entails a prisoner being escorted by armed police personnel to the place of visit. National Investigation Agency's (NIA) counsel opposed Salam's plea on the grounds that he was a security threat, whose presence in Kerala would put a 'tremendous pressure on the state'. 'The man is chairman of PFI. He is a law-and-order risk. He wanted to spread Sharia law in the country. There was widespread violence,' the NIA counsel said. Salam's counsel said custody parole, even if for five days, should be granted to him on humanitarian grounds. The counsel assured the court that Salam would be at home or visit his daughter's grave and not interact with anyone else except his family. He had earlier said rituals were slated to take place between April 18 and May 2. The PFI chairperson was arrested by the NIA in a massive crackdown on the banned organisation in 2022. The probe agency alleged the PFI, its office-bearers and members hatched a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for committing acts of terror in various parts of the country aside from conducting camps to indoctrinate and train their cadres for this purpose.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HC grants 3-day custody parole to PFI leader OMA Salam to travel to Kerala
New Delhi, The Delhi High Court on Monday permitted Popular Front of India leader OMA Salam to travel to Kerala on custody parole of three days to perform certain rituals in relation to the death of his daughter last year. Justice Ravinder Dudeja granted 3-day custody parole of six hours each day to the PFI chairman and directed him not to use mobile phone or have any public engagement during this duration. The judge, while clarifying that he would pass a detailed order, also said that the expenses for the travel would be borne by Salam. "Custody parole granted for 3 days, six hours a day. One visit to the graveyard, rest at home. No mobile, no photographs, no public engagement," the court said. Salam, arrested in an Unlawful Activities Act case against the proscribed organisation and its members, sought permission to travel in custody to his hometown in Kerala for performing certain ceremonies for 15 days following his daughter's death last year. Custody parole entails a prisoner being escorted by armed police personnel to the place of visit. Counsel for the NIA opposed Salam's plea on the grounds that he was a security threat, whose presence in Kerala would put a "tremendous pressure of the state". "The man is chairman of PFI. He is a law and order risk.. he wanted to spread Sharia law in the country. There was widespread violence," the NIA counsel said. Asserting that ceremonies take a backseat in the face of national security, the NIA counsel also said the rituals in questions were only optional. He emphasised that at the time of passing of the accused's daughter, the NIA had not opposed custody parole for three days but at this stage, a prolonged custody parole was not possible. "After a year you say I want to go to Kerala for 15 days. This is just a ruse to go to Kerala. One day is alright, he may go," added the counsel. Salam's counsel said custody parole, even if for five days, should be granted to him on humanitarian grounds. He assured the court that Salam would be at home or visit the daughter's grave and not interact with anyone else except his family. He had earlier said rituals were slated to take place between April 18 and May 2. Salam moved the high court last week against a trial court order, which granted him a day and six hours of custody parole. The PFI chairperson was arrested by the NIA in a massive crackdown on the banned organisation in 2022. The probe agency alleged the PFI, its officer bearers and members hatched a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for committing acts of terror in various parts of the country aside from conducting camps to indoctrinate and train their cadres for this purpose. Preceding the nationwide ban, in near-simultaneous raids across the country as part of a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the NIA, a large number of PFI activists were detained or arrested in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country. The arrests were made in states and Union Territories, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Delhi and Rajasthan. The government banned the PFI and several of its associate organisations on September 28, 2022 for five years under the stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities Act , accusing them of having links with global terror groups like the ISIS. Last year, Salam had sought interim bail from the high court on the grounds that his wife was in a "depressive state" following the death of his daughter. The plea was, however, rejected by the high court, saying that Salam was "a person of great influence" who managed and administered PFI for several years, and enlarging him on interim bail would not only entail flight risk but also the possibility of several witnesses being influenced.
Economic Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
NIA opposes PFI leader's plea for custody parole in Delhi HC
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The NIA on Friday opposed in the Delhi High Court a plea of Popular Front of India leader OMA Salam seeking a 15-day custody parole. Salam, arrested in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case against the proscribed organisation and its members, sought permission to travel in custody to his hometown in Kerala for ceremonies over his daughter's counsel for National Investigation Agency (NIA) said Salam's daughter passed away a year ago and while the agency had no objection to the accused visiting his hometown for a day, custody parole for 15 days was not argued there was no ceremony that goes on for 15 days and sought time from the court to verify the claim."You can't invent a ceremony," the counsel the hearing on April 28, Justice Ravinder Dudeja said the NIA should have verified about the ceremony by now."Ceremony name is given. You should have verified by now. Agency has network in all the places," the judge counsel said certain religious ceremonies, including reciting prayers at the daughter's grave and home, and recital of the verses of the holy book, had to be observed going by local beliefs and the rituals would take place between April 18 and May 2, Salam's lawyer urged the court to grant custody parole of at least six moved the high court earlier this week against a trial court order, which granted him a day and six hours of custody parole entails a prisoner being escorted by armed police personnel to the place of visit. PFI chairperson Salam was arrested by NIA in a massive crackdown on the banned organisation in probe agency alleged the PFI, its officer bearers and members hatched a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for committing acts of terror in various parts of the country aside from conducting camps to indoctrinate and train their cadres for this the nationwide ban, in near-simultaneous raids across the country as part of a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the NIA, a large number of PFI activists were detained or arrested in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the arrests were made in states and union territories, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Delhi and government banned the PFI and several of its associate wings on September 28, 2022 for five years under the stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act (UAPA), accusing them of having links with global terror groups like the year, Salam sought interim bail from the high court on the ground that his wife was in a "depressive state" following the death of his high court, however, rejected the plea calling Salam was "a person of great influence" and someone who managed and administered PFI for several him on interim bail would not only entail flight risk but also the possibility of several witnesses being influenced, it added.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
NIA opposes PFI leader's plea for custody parole in Delhi HC
The NIA opposed Popular Front of India leader OMA Salam's plea in Delhi High Court for 15-day custody parole to attend ceremonies in Kerala following his daughter's death a year ago. The NIA questioned the need for such an extended parole, suggesting a one-day visit instead. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The NIA on Friday opposed in the Delhi High Court a plea of Popular Front of India leader OMA Salam seeking a 15-day custody parole. Salam, arrested in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case against the proscribed organisation and its members, sought permission to travel in custody to his hometown in Kerala for ceremonies over his daughter's counsel for National Investigation Agency (NIA) said Salam's daughter passed away a year ago and while the agency had no objection to the accused visiting his hometown for a day, custody parole for 15 days was not argued there was no ceremony that goes on for 15 days and sought time from the court to verify the claim."You can't invent a ceremony," the counsel the hearing on April 28, Justice Ravinder Dudeja said the NIA should have verified about the ceremony by now."Ceremony name is given. You should have verified by now. Agency has network in all the places," the judge counsel said certain religious ceremonies, including reciting prayers at the daughter's grave and home, and recital of the verses of the holy book, had to be observed going by local beliefs and the rituals would take place between April 18 and May 2, Salam's lawyer urged the court to grant custody parole of at least six moved the high court earlier this week against a trial court order, which granted him a day and six hours of custody parole entails a prisoner being escorted by armed police personnel to the place of visit. PFI chairperson Salam was arrested by NIA in a massive crackdown on the banned organisation in probe agency alleged the PFI, its officer bearers and members hatched a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for committing acts of terror in various parts of the country aside from conducting camps to indoctrinate and train their cadres for this the nationwide ban, in near-simultaneous raids across the country as part of a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the NIA, a large number of PFI activists were detained or arrested in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the arrests were made in states and union territories, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Delhi and government banned the PFI and several of its associate wings on September 28, 2022 for five years under the stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act (UAPA), accusing them of having links with global terror groups like the year, Salam sought interim bail from the high court on the ground that his wife was in a "depressive state" following the death of his high court, however, rejected the plea calling Salam was "a person of great influence" and someone who managed and administered PFI for several him on interim bail would not only entail flight risk but also the possibility of several witnesses being influenced, it added.
