Mumbai Court Rejects Ashalatha Shetty's Discharge Plea

A special CBI court in Mumbai has rejected Ashalatha Shetty's plea for discharge in a disproportionate assets case.

Ashalatha is the wife of former Punjab National Bank (PNB) deputy manager Gokulnath Shetty.

The court found that she had acquired properties worth crores of rupees, which are disproportionate to her known source of income.

The CBI had registered a case against the couple after Gokulnath Shetty's arrest in the PNB fraud case linked to Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

Ashalatha's advocate, Sandeep Karnik, argued that she was not bound to declare her properties to her department or bank.

He also claimed that there was no sufficient evidence against her to frame the charge.

However, CBI prosecutor Manphool Bishnoi opposed the plea, stating that both Ashalatha and her husband are public servants.

They had purchased properties in their joint names, and the funds were transferred from their respective accounts.

Bishnoi argued that Ashalatha's approximate income during the check period was around Rs 48 lakhs, but she had purchased properties worth more than Rs 88 lakhs.

The court noted that the couple had amassed properties worth approximately Rs 2.63 crores, which are 238.44 per cent disproportionate to their known source of income.

During further investigation, the couple was found to be in possession of assets worth Rs 4.28 crores, which is 590.83 per cent disproportionate to their own source of income.

The court also noted that the couple had purchased three flats in Malad, Panvel, and Thane, paying Rs 15.78 lakhs, Rs 11 lakhs, and Rs 3.01 crores respectively.

The court observed that the payments were made from their own accounts, and Ashalatha had not informed her bank or department about the bookings.

The rejection of Ashalatha's discharge plea is a significant development in the case, which is linked to the PNB fraud scandal.

The scandal involved Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, who were accused of defrauding the bank of thousands of crores of rupees.

The case against Ashalatha and her husband is a reminder of the need for public servants to declare their assets and income.

The court's decision highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public life.

The CBI's investigation into the case is ongoing, and the court's decision is likely to have implications for the couple's future.

The case is being closely watched, and the outcome is expected to have significant consequences for those involved.

In conclusion, the special CBI court's rejection of Ashalatha Shetty's discharge plea is a significant development in the disproportionate assets case.

The court's decision highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public life, and the need for public servants to declare their assets and income.