CHANDIGARH – The High Court on Friday dismissed the petition filed by Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who was seeking to defer the trial in a high-profile money laundering case registered against him.
Khaira had approached the High Court challenging a special court order, issued on February 7 this year, that had refused to put the trial on hold. The money laundering case against Khaira originated from a predicate drug case initially registered at a Jalalabad police station.
Khaira’s Argument vs. ED’s Stance: During arguments, Khaira’s counsel contended that since the trial in the original drug case remained judicially stayed, the continuation of the subsequent money laundering case would be “contrary to law.”
However, the counsel representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) strongly countered this argument, asserting that the offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was legally independent of the scheduled offence (the drug case).
The Court’s Ruling: Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya, after hearing both sides, upheld the special court’s decision. The court ruled that even if the petitioner (Khaira) were to be acquitted of the charges in the drug case, his prosecution under the PMLA would remain unaffected.
The court further noted that the specific circumstances of Khaira’s case were distinct because the petitioner was accused of utilizing the proceeds of crime generated due to the commission of scheduled offenses by a person who already stands convicted.
“In view of the discussion, this court finds no merit in the petition and it stands dismissed,” the court concluded, allowing the trial in the money laundering case to proceed.