New Delhi, March 08: The Central government on Tuesday faced further rap in the Supreme Court on the action taken against Hasan Ali Khan, with the apex court now asking why the country’s biggest tax evader shouldn’t be tried under stricter laws.
The court sought to know from the government counsel why Hasan Ali should not be linked with terrorism and be tried under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA); besides more stringent sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) for money laundering.
It also asked the government why shouldn’t the fake passport case pending against Hasan Ali be handed over to the CBI.
The SC appeared particularly miffed with the fact that action against Hasan Ali was being taken only over tax evasion and not other serious charges including under Prevention of Corruption Act.
The government, on its part, told the court that POTA has been repealed and that it was planning to book Hasan Ali under MCOCA. It further informed that the director of the Enforcement Directorate would personally supervise the money laundering probe against Hasan Ali.
The sharp remarks from the apex court came after the Centre appraised it about the ongoing investigations. The SC has now asked the Centre to file a status report within ten days.
The ED had yesterday carried out multi-city searches at Hasan Ali’s Pune home and his associates’ premises, before taking him under arrest.
Meanwhile, Hasan Ali has claimed innocence and said he was being targeted as part of a political conspiracy.
-PTI