Vinesh Chandel Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody in ED Probe

I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel remanded till May 7 in a money laundering probe linked to alleged coal pilferage case, as ED seeks deeper investigation

Judicial Custody Ordered

A Delhi court on Thursday remanded I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with a money laundering probe tied to an alleged coal pilferage case. The court directed that Chandel remain in custody until May 7, marking a significant development in the ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation.

The order came after the expiry of the agency’s earlier 10-day custodial interrogation period. Chandel was produced before the court following the completion of ED custody.

Bail Plea Filed

Chandel has moved the Patiala House Court seeking regular bail. Additional Sessions Judge Dhirendra Rana issued notice on the plea and asked the ED to submit its response.

The court has listed the matter for arguments on April 29, where both sides are expected to present detailed submissions on the bail application.

ED Custody Ends

The judicial custody order follows the conclusion of ED’s interrogation, which began after the court earlier granted custody under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

During this period, the agency questioned Chandel regarding alleged financial irregularities and links to the suspected coal pilferage network. Officials indicated that further investigation would continue even as he remains in judicial custody.

PMLA Compliance Observed

In its observations, the court noted that the ED had complied with statutory requirements under the PMLA at the time of arrest. It recorded that necessary documents, including the arrest order and grounds of arrest, were duly provided to the accused.

The court also acknowledged adherence to procedural safeguards under Sections 19(1), 19(2), and 19(3) of the Act, indicating that due process had been followed during the arrest and subsequent proceedings.

Allegations Under Probe

According to officials, the ED has alleged that Chandel was involved in routing funds through informal channels, including hawala transactions. The agency also claimed that certain financial dealings lacked a clear legitimate business purpose.

Investigators further pointed to inconsistencies between statements recorded during questioning and the evidence collected so far. These aspects, the court noted, require deeper examination to establish the full extent of the alleged offence.

Deleted Digital Records

The ED also informed the court that certain electronic records and emails were allegedly deleted following search operations. This, officials said, may have impacted the investigation and raised concerns about possible evidence tampering.

The court observed that such allegations warranted further scrutiny, particularly to trace the proceeds of crime and identify other individuals who may be involved in the case.

Political Ripples Emerge

Parallel to the legal developments, reports from West Bengal indicated that the office of I-PAC in Kolkata, which has been handling electoral strategy for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has remained shut since April 20.

Sources suggested that around 1,300 employees were advised not to report to work, though the TMC has denied any disruption. Party leaders maintained that campaign operations are continuing through multiple agencies.

The development comes amid ongoing polling in the state, adding a political dimension to the case, given I-PAC’s role in election management and strategy.

What Lies Ahead

With judicial custody in place and the bail hearing scheduled for April 29, the case is expected to see further legal arguments in the coming days. The ED is likely to continue analysing financial trails and digital evidence to strengthen its case.

The outcome of the bail plea and subsequent proceedings will be closely watched, both for its legal implications and its potential impact on ongoing political activities.

As the investigation unfolds, this remains a key India News Update and part of the broader National and International News landscape, drawing attention as a significant public interest story in Latest News Today.