Delhi HC Upholds Chinese National’s Detention in Vivo Money Laundering Case

Delhi HC Upholds Chinese National's Detention in Vivo Money Laundering Case

VoM News Desk | October 14, 2023 | 11:35 PM IST | Courts & Law | Follow on Google News

Delhi HC Upholds Chinese National’s Detention in Vivo Money Laundering Case

Delhi HC Upholds Chinese National’s Detention in Vivo Money Laundering Case

The Delhi High Court has declined to interfere with a trial court order that remanded Chinese national Guangwen, also known as Andrew Kuang, to three-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case involving Chinese smartphone maker Vivo. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma dismissed a petition by Kuang, an office bearer of Vivo Mobile India, who had challenged the trial court’s remand order. The court noted that Kuang, identified as “one of the main conspirators,” was involved in incorporating companies throughout India for acquiring and siphoning off the proceeds of the crime. The court found no infirmity in the remand order, as it adhered to the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Court Rejects Challenge to Enforcement Directorate Custody

The ED had extended Kuang’s custody by three days in the case, following his apprehension on October 10. In his defense, Kuang argued that his arrest was carried out in a malafide manner and that no case was made against him under the PMLA. However, the court upheld the remand application’s assertion that Kuang was “guilty” of money laundering based on the investigation and collected evidence. On October 10, the trial court had remanded four individuals, including Kuang, to ED custody in a case related to alleged money laundering by Chinese nationals and various Indian companies associated with Vivo.

The ED had previously conducted a raid on the company and its affiliates, claiming to have exposed a significant money laundering operation involving Chinese nationals and Indian entities. The agency alleged that Vivo had “illegally” transferred a staggering Rs 62,476 crore to China in an attempt to evade tax payments in India.

High Court Upholds ED Custody for Vivo Money Laundering Case

The Delhi High Court supports the ED’s decision to detain Chinese national Guangwen in the Vivo money laundering case, emphasizing his alleged involvement in the incorporation of companies to acquire and siphon off the proceeds of the crime.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.