Bengaluru: It’s bad news for Karnataka Congress trouble-shooter DK Shivakumar as his plea, seeking quashing of summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has not been upheld by the Karnataka high court.

As the court pronounced its verdict on Thursday (August 29), a dismayed and distraught Shivakumar rushed to meet his legal counsels as he clearly feels his position in the case is not robust.

The court order also means that Shivakumar must appear for investigations as and when the ED summons him. In the event of Shivakumar not cooperating, he may then face the prospect of arrest, or in the event of the ED feeling that a custodial investigation is required because the evidence might be tampered, Shivakumar may, again, face the prospect of jail.

The case relates to raiding of Shivakumar’s residences in Delhi and an unaccounted amount of Rs 8.5 crore being found there.

A case was registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Shivakumar is also accused of laundering money through the hawala route. Also, it is being alleged that Shivakumar deposited huge sums in All India Congress Committee ‘s(AICC) account.

As regards the case, if Shivakumar does have documents to prove his innocence, there is no need to fear. He can also file an anticipatory bail plea before the high court.

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The issue has also taken political colours. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao, reacting to the judgment, said, “I won’t comment on the high court order. But I will certainly say that the Centre is using agencies like CBI and ED to hound its opponents. Former finance minister Chidambaram is also a victim of this vindictiveness. We will take up the fight legally.”

On the other hand, it is again a bad piece of development for Shivakumar because he was fancying the post of KPCC president. The high court’s order will certainly play against him.