Congress Leader DK Shivakumar Released From Tihar Jail

Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar was released from Tihar Jail on Wednesday, hours after he was granted bail by the Delhi High. Shivakumar, who is accused in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has been freed on a Rs. 25 lakh bail bond.

The 57-year-old leader was released following a medical check-up and other formalities at 9.15 pm, the official added. His bail plea was opposed ED had challenged his bail plea.

The judge, who granted him bail, also said that the Congress leader cannot tamper with the evidence as the documents are with the investigating agencies.

After walking out of the Tihar jail, Shivakumar thanked Congress party, supporters, family and Delhi HC. "Will like to thank my party President Sonia Gandhi. Thanks all those who stood with him," he said.

According to sources, the Congress leader is likely to meet Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Ahmed Patel on Thursday. On Friday, he is expected to return to Bangalore.

Shivakumar was arrested by the ED on September 3 in the money laundering case. He was lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody and had challenged the trial court’s order denying him bail in the case.

Shivakumar, a seven-time MLA in Karnataka, was booked along with Haumanthaiah—an employee at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi—and others for alleged offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The case was based on a charge sheet filed by the Income Tax Department against them last year before a special court in Bengaluru on charges of alleged tax evasion and ‘hawala’ transactions worth crores or rupees.

The I-T department has accused Shivakumar and his alleged associate S K Sharma of indulging in transactions involving huge amounts of unaccounted money on a regular basis through ‘hawala’ channels with the help of three other accused.