HC refuses to stay ED’s attachment proceedings against Virbhadra, wife

New Delhi : The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to stay the attachment proceeding being carried out by the Enforcement Directorate against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh in a money laundering case.

However, the High Court said that any order of adjudicating authority will not be effective till their petitions are pending before it.

Singh and his wife had sought a stay on the provisional attachment order (PAO) of March 23 and the proceedings against them under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Enforcement Directorate had earlier in an affidavit filed before the bench sought dismissal of the couple’s petition on the ground that it was premature since the attachment order was only provisional and that the petitioners have the opportunity to approach the adjudicating authority to state their case.

The Enforcement Directorate has also said that there is a provision under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for appeal and the petitioners ought not to have come before the High Court. (ANI)