Delhi High Court stays ED proceedings against Hero Group chairman Pawan Munjal

The Delhi High Court on Friday stayed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) proceedings against Hero MotoCorp Chairman Pawan Kant Munjal [Pawan Kant v Directorate of Enforcement]. 

Justice Saurabh Banerjee passed the interim order after noting that the money laundering proceedings against Munjal were based on a case registered by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which has already been stayed by the Court on November 3.

The Court clarified that the stay is only in relation to proceedings against Munjal and that the ED can proceed with its investigation against others accused.

The case will be heard next on March 21.

The DRI filed a prosecution complaint last year against Munjal, as well as a third-party service provider company called SEMPL and certain individuals identified as Amit Bali, Hemant Dahiya, K R Raman and some others alleging that they were involved in an “attempt to export and illicit export of prohibited items, that is, foreign currency."

They were booked under Sections 135(1)(a), 135(1)(b) and 135(1)(c) read with 135(1)(i)(A) of the Customs Act, 1962.

Based on the DRI’s case, the Enforcement Directorate also booked Munjal and others under various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

These ED proceedings have now been stayed by the High Court in so far as they relate to Munjal.