Delhi Court Grants Bail to Ex-DMK Leader Jaffer Sadiq in Drug Case, Remains in Custody for Money Laundering Charges

A Delhi court has granted bail to former DMK leader Jaffer Sadiq in a drug-related case filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau, though he remains in custody over money laundering charges by the Enforcement Directorate. Several conditions, including passport surrender, have been placed on his bail.

A Delhi court has granted bail to former DMK leader Jaffer Sadiq in a drug-related case registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). However, he remains in custody for a money laundering case pursued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court has directed authorities to open a Look-Out Circular (LOC) against him. Special Judge (NDPS) Sudhir Kumar Sirohi granted the bail on Wednesday.

The court noted that drugs were not recovered from Sadiq's possession. His bail is contingent on furnishing a bond of Rs one lakh and two sureties of the same amount. Sadiq is prohibited from leaving the country without court permission and must surrender his passport. If he lacks a passport, he must submit an affidavit to that effect. On June 26, the ED arrested him in connection with a drug-related money laundering case.

Sadiq was interrogated by the ED in Tihar Jail, where he was lodged for an NDPS case. Earlier, the court had allowed the ED to question him within the facility. On multiple occasions, Delhi's Patiala House Court granted permission for the ED to examine Sadiq in Tihar Jail and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency was authorized to interrogate him regarding the drug-related money laundering case on June 25 and 26, as approved by Special NDPS Judge Sudhir Kumar Sirohi.

The court directed jail authorities to facilitate the necessary arrangements. The Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for ED, NK Matta, requested permission for ED officers to bring a laptop and printer to record signed statements and present data to the accused due to the recovery of 50 kg of pseudoephedrine. Sadiq's previous interrogation from May 8 to 10 was incomplete.

In an earlier directive on May 1, the court allowed the ED to record statements from Sadiq and four others in Tihar Jail. Special Public Prosecutor NK Matta had filed an application seeking permission to examine the accused on specific dates. ED officials were granted liberty to carry necessary equipment for recording statements as part of their probe. ED had raided various locations in Tamil Nadu related to the case involving Jaffer Sadiq and others.

The ED's investigation followed a case registered under the PMLA against Sadiq, shortly after his arrest by the NCB for alleged involvement in international drug trafficking. According to officials, Sadiq headed a network that exported pseudoephedrine to Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia, collaborating with high-profile individuals. The NCB found Sadiq's network trafficked approximately 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine in 45 consignments over three years.

(With inputs from agencies.)