Ashok Gehlot (File photo)
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering case against Agrasain Gehlot, elder brother of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, seems to have hit a roadblock with senior Gehlot moving the Rajasthan HC against ED’s summonses. The anti-money laundering agency has so far issued three summonses to Agrasain, asking him to appear before its investigating officers at its Delhi headquarters.
The ED has also been looking for another prime accused in the fertiliser scam case, Pravin Saraf of Saraf Impex who, like Gehlot, has not honoured any of the agency’s summonses issued to him. According to agency officers, Saraf is absconding though he has written to the agency seeking postponement of his questioning. The ED, which was contemplating other actions that may include arrest of the accused, is finding it difficult to proceed in the case in view of the court cases.
Gehlot’s case has been listed for Monday before the Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan HC where the ED has been served a notice to defend its case, according to sources. According to a preliminary probe, Anupam Krishi, the firm owned by Gehlot, was engaged in alleged illegal export of potash in league with Saraf Impex Pvt Ltd. Anupam Krishi was the origin of the exports made by Saraf Impex. The total illegal exports of MOP (Muriate of Potash) is around 30,000 tons worth Rs 130 crore. Agrasain is accused of receiving huge commission.
