Mahua Moitra's plea alleging media leak: Delhi HC to pass order on Friday

The Delhi HC on Thursday said it will pass an order on February 23 on TMC leader Mahua Moitra's plea against the alleged leakage of 'confidential' information from the ED to the media in relation to a probe against her under FEMA.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday said it will pass an order on February 23 on TMC leader Mahua Moitra's plea against the alleged leakage of 'confidential' information from the Enforcement Directorate to the media in relation to a probe against her under the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

The senior counsel appearing for the former MP claimed she was being 'hounded', and information on issuance of summons to her by the agency was published by the media even before she received them.

Justice Subramonium Prasad orally remarked that as of now, there was nothing as the news report in question made factual assertions.

"That is news. You are a public person. It is only a factual assertion...As of now, there is nothing," the judge remarked.

Senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Moitra, contended that she was not against the right of the agency to carry out any investigation but such media leaks were prejudicial to her.

"It is about information being leaked prior to it being communicated to me. (If there is no press release) ED is drip feeding sensitive and confidential information about me," John contended.

"Orders for tomorrow," the court stated.

Advocate Sidhant Kumar, appearing for a news organisation, said the petitioner was a public official facing probe for allegations that are in public domain, thus making it a matter of public debate.

He said there was nothing prejudicial in the matter and media reports are based on sources. The counsel for the ED said there was no release or 'leakage' from its end.

The ED has issued summons to Moitra in relation to a case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

Transactions linked to a non-resident external (NRE) account are under the scanner of the agency in the case apart from a few other foreign remittances and transfer of funds, the sources said.