In a significant decision, the Supreme Court has quashed the money laundering probe against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who had challenged the Enforcement Directorate’s summons in the Karnataka High Court. The apex court’s bench comprising justices Surya Kant and K.V. Viswanathan ruled in favor of Shivakumar, providing him with relief in the long-standing case.
The case originated from August 2017 when the Income Tax department conducted raids in Delhi as part of a tax evasion investigation involving Shivakumar and several associates. Despite the seizure of significant sums, subsequent proceedings saw portions of the seized amount being adjusted against tax liabilities. Following this, the tax department filed charges against the accused, leading to the Enforcement Directorate initiating a money laundering case in 2018 based on the tax evasion allegations.