The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Karnataka Congress legislator Satish Krishna Sail in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal iron ore exports, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Sail, who represents the Karwar constituency in Uttara Kannada district, was taken into custody late on the night of September 9 after being questioned at the ED’s zonal office in Bengaluru, according to sources, as per PTI.
He was subsequently produced before a special court which granted the agency his custody for one day. The ED is expected to seek an extension of his remand when he is presented before the court again on Wednesday, they added.
"The total value of the illegal exports carried out by Satish Krishna Sail, through this company was Rs 86.78 crore," the ED alleged.
Sail has become the second Congress legislator in recent weeks to face arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. Just last month, the agency took Chitradurga MLA KC Veerendra, popularly known as "Puppy," into custody in connection with a money laundering case linked to illegal betting.
According to the ED, searches at multiple locations linked to Sail led to the recovery of Rs 1.41 crore in cash from his residence and another Rs 27 lakh from the office of Sri Lal Mahal Ltd. In addition, investigators seized 6.75 kilograms of gold jewellery and bullion from a bank locker belonging to Sail’s family.
The agency further revealed that several bank accounts connected to the accused entities with deposits amounting to Rs 14.13 crore, have been frozen as part of the ongoing probe.
Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar said, as per ANI, "What was the need to arrest Satish Sail? They are targeting only Congress MLAs. They are going out of their way to target us."
