Satyendar Jain's ED Case: Union Government Requests President's Approval for Prosecution

Synopsis
In a significant development, the Union Home Ministry has sought President Droupadi Murmu's approval to pursue legal action against former Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain in a money laundering case, highlighting ongoing legal challenges faced by the politician.
Key Takeaways
- Union Home Ministry requests President's approval for Satyendar Jain's prosecution.
- Jain was arrested in a Rs 4.8 crore money laundering case.
- ED's investigation stems from a CBI FIR filed in 2017.
- Jain is accused of threatening Tihar Jail staff during incarceration.
- He lost the Shakur Basti seat in recent elections.
New Delhi, Feb 14 (NationPress) The former Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain of the Aam Aadmi Party faces new challenges as the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has submitted a request to President Droupadi Murmu for permission to initiate prosecution against him regarding a money laundering case, according to official sources.
The request for the President’s approval is made under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which stipulates that prior government sanction is necessary before a court can recognize offenses committed by public officials.
In May 2022, Jain was arrested by the ED in connection with a Rs 4.8-crore money laundering case for allegedly utilizing four companies associated with him to misappropriate funds. He was released on bail in October of the previous year.
This case by the ED is rooted in a CBI FIR filed against Jain in 2017, under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
In April 2022, the ED provisionally seized immovable assets worth Rs 4.81 crore belonging to companies connected to Jain and his associates.
In addition to the alleged corruption and money laundering charges, Jain is accused of threatening staff at Tihar Jail during his incarceration.
Recently, Assistant Superintendent Jaidev and Deputy Superintendent Parveen Kumar from Tihar Jail lodged a complaint against Jain, detailing that he threatened them when they attempted to serve him a Show Cause Notice as per rule 1272 of DPR, 2018, on December 8, 2022.
According to a jail official, Jain has been openly intimidating these officers and others, trying to obstruct them from denying him privileges such as massages, gourmet meals, and other VIP treatments, which have recently come to light.
A jail official noted in his complaint, "At that moment, I thought Satyendar Jain's remarks stemmed from frustration, but in light of the recent incident report dated December 8, 2022, I fear that Jain, due to his former ministerial status, may retaliate against me and other jail personnel upon his release."
The complaint further requested that Jain be relocated to a different jail promptly.
In the latest elections in Delhi, Satyendar Kumar Jain lost the Shakur Basti seat to BJP's Karnail Singh by a margin of 20,998 votes.