1 day ago
PMLA Court Allows Lawyer Presence During Aakif Nachan Interrogation
Aakif Nachan is being questioned by India’s Enforcement Directorate, or ED.
The questioning concerns alleged links to ISIS and possible money laundering.
Nachan asked for his lawyer to be present because he said he needed legal help to understand the questions.
The ED opposed this request.
It said a lawyer might influence his answers.
The court allowed the lawyer to stay where Nachan can see him.
However, the lawyer must remain too far away to hear the questioning.
The lawyer also cannot interrupt or interfere with the ED’s work.
The special PMLA court partly allowed Aakif Nachan’s plea for a lawyer’s presence during ED questioning.
Nachan’s advocate may remain visible during interrogation but must stay beyond hearing range.
The court said the advocate cannot interfere with the ED proceedings.
ED is questioning Nachan and 18 other NIA-arrested accused over alleged ISIS links and suspected terror financing.
ED opposed the plea, arguing that a lawyer’s presence could influence or tutor Nachan during his statement.
- Who
- Aakif Nachan, his advocate, and officers of the Enforcement Directorate; Nachan is among 19 accused arrested by the National Investigation Agency.
- What
- The special PMLA court allowed Nachan’s lawyer to be visibly present during ED interrogation, but beyond hearing range and without interference.
- Where
- Mumbai, before the special PMLA court.
- When
- August 31, 2026.
- Why
- Nachan sought legal support during questioning, while the ED is investigating alleged money laundering and financial links connected to ISIS modules.
Nachan’s Position
Enforcement Directorate’s Position
Lawyer’s presence during questioning
Nachan’s Position
Nachan argued that he could not properly answer questions without understanding the legal provisions of the PMLA and sought to have his advocate present.
Enforcement Directorate’s Position
The ED argued that statements recorded under the PMLA must be voluntary, uninfluenced, and free from external interference; it said a lawyer could tutor Nachan.
Key facts
- Court
- Special PMLA Court
- Accused
- Aakif Nachan and 18 other accused
- Investigating agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Underlying arrests
- The accused were arrested by the National Investigation Agency
- Investigation focus
- Alleged money laundering, terror finances, and financial links
- Lawyer’s permitted position
- Visible to Nachan but beyond hearing range
- Court’s restriction
- The advocate cannot interfere in the ED proceedings
Quotes
Special PMLA Court
The court hearing Nachan’s plea regarding lawyer access during ED questioning
“The presence of the advocate should be beyond hearing range so that there should not be any interference in the proceedings of the ED”
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Sources
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