Money Laundering Case Update: Purushottam Chavan Sent to Judicial Custody in Rs 263 crore ITR Fraud Case
A Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act court has sent Purushottam Chavan, husband of an IPS officer, to judicial custody in connection with a Rs 263-crore Income Tax Refund (ITR) fraud case. Chavan was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai last week. The ED did not seek an extension of Chavan’s custody, leading the court to send him to judicial custody. The central agency has requested that Chavan not be released on bail as the investigation is still ongoing. Another accused, Rajesh Brijlal Batreja, was also sent to judicial custody in the same case.
Investigation and Raid Details
The ED has conducted two raids at Chavan’s Colaba residence and is believed to have seized incriminating documents. Additionally, ED officials have questioned the staff of the IPS officer, including her orderly and driver, for hours. So far, no evidence has been found implicating the IPS officer in assisting her husband in the fraud. However, the agency is seeking information from the staff regarding Chavan’s activities and the people he would meet.
Chavan’s Role in the Case
While Chavan was not directly involved in the Rs 263 crore ITR fraud, he is suspected of being involved in the possession of part of the proceeds of the crime (POC). The ED is working to collect evidence related to alleged hawala transactions involving Chavan and Batreja.
Previous Arrests and Asset Attachments
Prior to Chavan’s arrest, the agency had already apprehended four individuals in connection with the case. They have also seized both immovable and movable properties worth Rs 168 crore belonging to the accused in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
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