SC Orders Shifting Of Ex-Unitech Promoters To Mumbai's Arthur Road, Taloja Jails From Delhi’s Tihar

The apex court said the Enforcement Directorate’s report on conduct of the erstwhile Unitech promoters and Tihar Jail staff has raised “serious and disturbing” issues.

Supreme Court | File Image

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered shifting of ex-Unitech promoters Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra from Delhi’s Tihar Jail to Arthur Road Jail and Taloja Jail in Mumbai.

The apex court said the Enforcement Directorate’s report on conduct of the erstwhile Unitech promoters and Tihar Jail staff has raised “serious and disturbing” issues.

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The apex court directed Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana to start inquiry forthwith against the Tihar Jail officials, who allegedly connived with Chandras, and submit a report within four weeks.

The Enforcement Directorate earlier made a startling revelation in the apex court and said the two ex-Unitech promoters were operating from Tihar Jail.

“During one of our search and seizure operations, we have unearthed a secret underground office, which is being used by Ramesh Chandra and visited by his sons when they are out on parole or bail,” Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, told the apex court, PTI reported.

“We have recovered hundreds of original sale deeds from that office, hundreds of digital signatures and several computers which contain sensitive data with regard to their properties in India and abroad,” he added.

The Enforcement Directorate, which has been investigating money laundering charges against the Chandras’ and Unitech Ltd, said that both Sanjay and Ajay have rendered the entire judicial custody otiose as they have been freely communicating, instructing their officials and disposing of their properties from inside the jail.

The Enforcement Directorate said the duo even tried to influence from jail a dummy director interrogated by the agency.

The Enforcement Directorate also told the apex court that the former Unitech founders deputed staff outside the Tihar Jail premises to communicate with the outside world and dispose of properties.