Court Clears Nitin Bhatnagar in Moser Baer Money Laundering Case

The Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Nitin Bhatnagar, a Maltese national, of money laundering charges linked to Moser Baer India Ltd. Special Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal noted the lack of evidence against Bhatnagar, stressing that continuing the trial without admissible evidence would violate his constitutional rights under Article 21.

The Rouse Avenue Court has acquitted Nitin Bhatnagar, a Maltese citizen, of allegations of money laundering in connection with M/s Moser Baer India Ltd. Special Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal ruled that there was no evidence to warrant a trial against Bhatnagar.

Judge Aggarwal stated, "No suspicion arises that the accused might have committed the offence for which the Supplementary Chargesheet has been filed against him." He added that prosecuting Bhatnagar without legally admissible evidence would contravene Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Bhatnagar's defense, including Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa, argued that the evidence presented was insufficient for formal charges. Moreover, the court noted that Bhatnagar's name did not appear in initial FIRs or previous investigations. Bhatnagar was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on August 22, 2023, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

(With inputs from agencies.)