The bail was granted following observation by the Justice A M Thipsay that the Enforcement Directorate had not provided any substantial evidence to prove that the wealth amassed by Khan is because of any criminal activity. Justice Thipsay also turned down ED’s counsel, Darius Khambata’s request to stay the bail order for a week.
Mr. Khambatta said that the agency would like to appeal against the judgement in the Supreme Court, but Justice Thipsay said that there was no fear that Hasan Ali would abscond or tamper with evidence.
The court however, asked Khan to stay in Mumbai or Pune and be available for further questioning by the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department. He has also been asked to submit his passport. Hasan Ali Khan was arrested in March this year. In its charge sheet filed in May, the Enforcement Directorate had accused Hasan Ali of acting as a front Man for international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. It had stated that Khan’s foreign account was used to park Khashoggi’s money.
Khan is also facing criminal cases under the Passport Act for allegedly possessing multiple passports from different parts of India. Meanwhile, Khan’s lawyer I A Bagaria had argued that Khan was being falsely implicated in the case.