The Supreme Court declined to hear Azam Khan’s bail plea , directing him to approach the Allahabad High Court (IMG: X)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to hear Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan’s bail plea in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), directing him to approach the Allahabad High Court for relief.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi transferred Khan’s petition to the Allahabad High Court and requested its Chief Justice to list the matter before a division bench on November 16.
The apex court also asked the High Court to consider passing an interim order on Khan’s bail application on the same day.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of Azam Khan, raised concerns over the timing of the ED’s action. He submitted that Khan was taken into custody shortly before he was expected to be released from prison.
"They just want me to be inside during the election," he said.
During the hearing, Sibal also referred to the possible impact of the arrest during the election period.
The 78 year old Samajwadi Party leader was arrested by the ED on October 31 in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the Jauhar Trust.
The arrest took place shortly after Khan and his son, Abdullah Azam Khan, were released from Rampur jail after securing bail in a separate case involving allegations of possessing dual PAN cards.
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On November 1, Azam Khan was produced before a special court in Ghaziabad in connection with the money laundering case, according to his lawyer.
Following the Supreme Court’s direction, Khan will now pursue his bail application before the Allahabad High Court. The matter is expected to be taken up on November 16.
