Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has filed a Supplementary Prosecution Complaint on 21/11/2023 against Cheruvathur Chakutty Thampi (C.C. Thampi), a UAE based N.R.I. and Sumit Chadha, a U.K. national under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Rouse Avenue, New Delhi. The Hon’ble Special Court has taken cognizance of the same on 22/12/2023.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of searches as well as Prosecution Complaint filed by the Income Tax Department under section 51 of Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.
ED investigation revealed that Sanjay Bhandari held various undisclosed foreign income and assets including following properties at no. 12 Bryanston Square, London and 6 Grosvenor Hill Court, London. These assets are Proceeds of Crime as per the provisions of PMLA, 2002. C.C. Thampi and Sumit Chadha have been found to be involved in the concealment and use of these Proceeds of Crime.
Earlier, a Prosecution Complaint was filed on 01.06.2020 against Sanjay Bhandari, his 3 offshore entities, Sanjeev Kapoor and Anirudh Wadhwa. After issue of the process, the Ld. Special Court declared Sanjay Bhandari a Proclaimed Person. The Competent Authority in the U.K. has also ordered for extradition of Sanjay Bhandari and he has filed an appeal challenging the extradition order before the Hon’ble High Court of U.K. In the matter, properties worth Rs. 26.55 Crore belonging to Sanjay Bhandari held in India were attached.
ED investigation further revealed that C.C. Thampi is a close associate of Mr Robert Vadra. Mr Robert Vadra not only renovated the aforesaid property at 12 Bryanston Square, London through Sumit Chadha but also stayed in the same. Further, Mr Robert Vadra as well as C. C. Thampi purchased huge chunk of land at Faridabad and had financial transactions with each other.
