The Enforcement Directorate claimed before the Delhi court, on Monday, that if released on bail, Congress leader D K Shivakumar may influence the persons who are in the knowledge of his "grave offence" of money laundering and are yet to be examined.

A release could cause loss of evidence: ED

Opposing Shivakumar's bail application, ED told Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar that the investigation was at a crucial stage and the release of the politician may destroy important evidence.

The court is likely to hear arguments on the bail application tomorrow, when Shivakumar, arrested on September 3 by the ED, will be produced on expiry of his custodial interrogation.

READ | DK Shivakumar in ED remand till Monday, explosive allegations in court

ED had filed a money laundering case against DK Shivakumar, last September. The case was also filed against Haumanthaiah (Employee at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi), and others. It was filed based on a charge sheet (prosecution complaint) filed by the Income Tax (IT) Department before a special court in Bengaluru on the charges of alleged tax evasion and hawala transactions worth crores. 

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The IT department had accused Shivakumar and his associate S K Sharma of transporting a large amount of unaccounted tax through 'hawala' channels which he had reportedly done with the help of three other accused in the case. 

His daughter was also quizzed in connection with the case

His ED custody was extended for five days on Friday, September 13. Additionally, on September 12, his daughter, Aisshwarya was quizzed by the Enforcement Directorate for seven hours, as per sources who added that she was questioned on her Singapore visit which she made with her father in July 2017, and on the business transactions she made in Singapore and India. Even though, during his questioning, Shivakumar had claimed that it was a ‘business deal’, ED maintains that their trip is now under the scanner.

READ | DK Shivakumar to face ED in court: Details of their arguments accessed

The ED also allegedly questioned her regarding her investment in a green energy company in Kolar and how she had increased her assets from Rs 1.08 crore to Rs 108 crore in a span of five years.

READ | DK Shivakumar's daughter summoned by ED in money laundering case