Is Hasan Ali in Mumbai hospital?

A day after ED summons, Hasan Ali's chartered accountant says he has not appointed a lawyer yet and is undergoing treatment in Mumbai

Is Hasan Ali in Mumbai hospital?

A day after ED summons, Hasan Ali's chartered accountant says he has not appointed a lawyer yet and is undergoing treatment in Mumbai

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A day after the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) issued a 'Look Out Circular' against Hasan Ali Khan, the prime accused of stashing black money abroad, to prevent his escape from the country, the Pune-based stud farm owner has quietly sneaked out of the city.

Asked about the whereabouts of Ali, his chartered accountant Sunil Shinde said, "Ali is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai." But he refused to divulge the name of the facility.

The accused hasn't even appointed a lawyer yet, he added.

Yesterday, Shinde told mediapersons in Pune that the charges made against Ali were baseless.

"Hasan Ali has not yet appointed any lawyer and this is not the proper time to comment on the issue. But within 15 days time 'all things' will fall in place," he added.

After the Supreme Court reprimanded the Centre for not having the "will power" to act against black money hoarders, the ED issued the summons to Ali and asked him to appear before him on March 10 at 11.30 am.

The order mentions that Ali will have to furnish the copies and details of his passport and information on all ancestral properties involved in litigation before various forums.

Failing to comply with the order, the accused will be liable to penal proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (15 of 2003).

Sunil Shinde, Chartered Accountant of Hasan Ali Khan called for a press conference at Tulips building where Ali resides in Koregaon Park. (pic-Jignesh Mistry)

MiD DAY had reported yesterday that a major chunk of the $8 billion (Rs 35,952 crore) believed to have stashed away in a UBS (Zurich) bank by Ali may not belong to him and it could actually be amassed by an influential woman-politician who was making him escape goat.

Source from investigative agencies said they had serious doubts about the scrap dealer's ability to play in the multi-billion league.

According to them, a woman politician who was once the chief minister of a southern state was the actual source of the black money.

The name of Hasan Ali came to the limelight for the first time in 2007 when Income-Tax officials raided his residence at Tulips building in Valentina Society, Koregaon Park.
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Several valuable items such as high-end cars and gold and silver ornaments belonging to Hasan Ali, his wife Reema and his in-laws were recovered in the raid.

Investigators who know Hasan Ali's reach as an individual are skeptical about his ability to enter into big deals, saying there are strong indications he is being protected by some "influential political leaders".

"Certain information and leads point to a woman politician who was also the CM of a southern state," said an investigating officer.

Scrap dealer fears for life

After the police got to know about Hasan Ali's black money, the Income-Tax department officials swung into action. They conducted raids and recovered items from his residence.

The year after the raid, in December 2008, Hasan Ali was arrested in a fake passport case in Mumbai. Before his arrest, Ali, who was then a proclaimed absconder, is believed to have feared for his life.

An officer who "facilitated" his surrender and subsequent arrest, said the stud farm owner was not ready to come out of hiding until he was assured of his safety and adequate security for him.
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The officer, who requested anonymity, said Hasan Ali had insisted that he be taken into custody inside the airport.

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