ED to sensitise counsel after 'offensive conduct' episode

NEW DELHI: After a Delhi court summoned special director of Enforcement Directorate (ED) following a counsel appearing for the probe agency addressing the judge in an offensive and derogatory manner, ED on Monday assured the court that the counsels would be "sensitised" through a special programme.

Special judge Jitendra Singh of Rouse Avenue courts took note of the submissions made by ED's deputy director and issued notice to special public prosecutor Manish Jain, counsel for the central probe agency.

The court had Saturday summoned the official after the ED counsel, when questioned about reason for seeking adjournment in a matter related to the money laundering case involving Karnataka's deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar and others, allegedly spoke in a "loud tone" to the judge, and simply said he had been "directed by the higher-ups" to do so.

The court directed ED special director to be physically present and verify whether the counsel had been acting and conducting the case as per the agency's instructions. This was necessary to initiate appropriate action for upholding the dignity of the court, the court added.

The ED counsel had sought adjournment after an application was moved by one of the accused, Anjaneya Hanumanthaiah, seeking release of the loose sheets and digital devices seized. The applicant said since ECIR (ED FIR) against him was already quashed by Supreme Court in March, it was the probe agency's duty to release the articles in question.

The court on Monday noted that the department had informed its counsel through email that they were not objecting to the present application, and that 15 days' time may be sought to return the seized articles. The court asked Jain to apprise the court why he did not inform that the application was conceded by the agency.