ED to grill Hasan Ali aides over black money

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday will quiz Congress leader Amalendu Pandey and Kolkata-based businessman Kashinath Tapuriah, key aides of India?s alleged biggest tax evader Hasan Ali Khan, in connection with money laundering.

Denying any links with the Pune-based businessman, Puducherry Lt Governor Iqbal Singh on Saturday claimed to have only recommended his name for the passport based on a plea made by Pandey on Apr 4, 1997.

A Mumbai court on Friday permitted the ED to quiz Tapuria for assisting Ali in money laundering.

The Sessions Court in Mumbai allowed the ED to take Tapuriah (74) from Arthur Road jail and grill the Kolkata-based businessman at its south Mumbai office on April 18 and April 19.

Tapuriah?s judicial custody was also extended till April 29.

ED officials said they seized large number of documents, including alleged transfer instructions from Khan?s account to various other accounts, from Tapuriah residence.

Tapuriah also allegedly travelled with Khan to Switzerland, London, Dubai and Singapore to help the 53-year-old Pune businessman in his money laundering activities.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Khan’s judicial custody was extended till April 26.

Khan reportedly evaded tax worth Rs 70,000 crore.