SC directs Preeti Chandra to submit passport to renounce citizenship of Dominican Republic

New Delhi [India] September 11 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday asked Preeti Chandra, the wife of former Unitech promoter Sanjay Chandra, to return her passport to the authorities concerned for renouncing the citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India  DY Chandrachud passed the direction.
In pursuance of the earlier order dated 25 August 2023, Sidharth Aggarwal, senior counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant states that the passport issued by the Commonwealth of Dominica to the applicant is presently with the investigating Officer of the Directorate of Enforcement in Delhi.
The applicant Preeti has sought the return of the passport subject to an undertaking tendered to this Court during the course of the hearing through counsel that the applicant would utilise the passport only for the purpose of returning it to the authorities for renouncing the citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica and for no other purpose.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing on behalf of the Union of India stated that there is no objection to the return of the passport in view of the undertaking which has been tendered before this court.
"The undertaking is accepted. The passport of the applicant shall be returned. The passport of the applicant shall be handed over for the above purpose. The Miscellaneous Application is accordingly disposed of," the court said.
Earlier The Supreme Court had refused to interfere with the Delhi High Court order and granted bail to Preeti Chandra, wife of former Unitech promoter Sanjay Chandra in the money laundering case.
However, the court had directed her not to leave Delhi without permission and various other conditions. The court had also directed Preeti Chandra to report atleast once in two weeks to investigating officer. The court also asked her not to dispose of any property without permission.
The court had also asked her to relinquish citizenship and apply for Indian citizenship which shall be processed accordingly. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had informed the top court that Preeti Chandra, the wife of ex-Unitech promoter Sanjay Chandra, was allegedly actively involved in proceeds of crime in matters pertaining to money laundering.
The Enforcement Directorate had moved the apex court challenging the Delhi High Court order granting bail to Preeti Chandra in the money laundering case.
Delhi High Court had granted bail to former Unitech promoter Sanjay Chandra's wife Preeti Chandra in a money laundering case. However, at the request of the ED's counsel, Delhi High Court had said that the order may not be given effect as the ED has to challenge the same.
The ED arrested the founder of Unitech Group Ramesh Chandra, Preeti Chandra (Sanjay Chandra's wife) and Rajesh Malik of Carnoustie Group last year as they collected funds from home buyers, for housing projects. However, according to the ED, the fund was not used for the purpose for which it was collected. Preeti Chandra was denied bail by the trial court in November 2022.
According to the ED, Unitech Ltd, where the accused Ramesh Chandra is the Chairman, and the co-accused Ajay Chandra and Sanjay Chandra are the Directors, collected funds from home buyers, for housing projects. (ANI)