SC directs ED to file reply on plea of ex-Unitech promoter Sanjay Chandra's wife seeking bail

New Delhi, Mar 23 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file its reply on a plea filed by the wife of ex- Unitech promoter Sanjay Chandra seeking interim bail to take part in the last rites of her grandmother.

A bench of justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah said that it would pass the order on Preeti Chandra's plea on Friday.

At the outset, the ED expressed apprehension that Chandra may leave the country if granted bail and said "it is better to be safe than be sorry." Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan, appearing for the ED, opposed the bail plea and told the bench that Chandra was arrested when she was trying to leave the country and she is a flight risk.

Divan contended that Chandra has recently obtained citizenship of Dominican Republic which is not among the countries with which India has an extradition treaty.

The ED had recently filed a fresh charge sheet before a court here in connection with its money laundering probe against realty group Unitech, its promoter brothers Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra and others.

Sanjay Chandra, Ajay Chandra, Ramesh Chandra (their father and founder of the Unitech group), Preeti Chandra (wife of Sanjay Chandra), Rajesh Malik (promoter of accused company Carnoustie group) and 66 domestic and overseas companies have been arrayed as accused in the charge sheet. PTI PKS ZMN