Karnataka High Court Seeks ED's Response On Plea For Interim Release Of Congress MLA Arrested In Alleged Illegal Betting Case

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (September 24) asked the Enforcement Directorate to get instructions on a plea filed by wife of Congress MLA K.C Veerendra arrested in alleged illegal betting case, seeking interim release from custody for 2-3 days on account on Dusshera festival. 

Justice MI Arun was hearing petitioner R D Chaitra's plea seeking to declare his arrest as illegal, arbitrary and violative of his fundamental rights under Article 19 & 21 and to release him. After hearing both sides the court reserved its verdict on the main plea orally stating that it shall pronounce the verdict on October 8, wherein it shall dictate the order in court. 

At this stage senior advocate Siddharth Dave appearing for the petitioner submitted that in the interim, for two days in view of Dusshera festival the husband of the petitioner may be released from custody. 

Meanwhile Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath appearing for the ED said that for interim release the petitioner's husband will have to approach the bail court adding that the high court had heard the main matter finally. 

The court then orally said, "You can ask your officers. They are proposing it now. It is only for 2 or 3 days interregnum, after that you can take him back to custody. On 8th we will pronounce the judgment...You can take instructions. I'll call it on Friday to hear you on interim...At the end of the day investigation should not suffer but a person should be detained only when required prior to investigation. We do appreciate that this is a 482 petition and this is not a bail court. But if you (ED) concede on that upon instructions not otherwise then we will consider passing an order for few days if it is permissible in law with the condition that he will re-surrender". 

ASG Kamath thereafter said that he will get instructions on the same and will make his submissions and the court listed the matter on September 26 (Friday). 

With respect to the main petition, the court directed the parties to file their synopsis. 

The petitioner R D Chaitra, has argued that the grounds of arrest showed complete non-application of mind by the central agency and not one summons was issued to her husband before arrest.

Meanwhile the ED has argued that the accused is in lawful custody and the appropriate remedy would be to challenge the remand order. The agency has said that to contend that detention is illegal is not right. 

"What do these six FIRs point out is that petitioner husband was involved in online betting...the information in FIRs and chargesheet is corroborated and shows that mobile phone seized from husband had several messages stating 'we have lost money'... The games were committed in such a way that it would satisfy the classical definition of cheating," the ASG said. 

He further said, "As a result of criminal activity huge amounts of proceeds of crime was generated. It was used. It was transferred to tour operators. Petitioner's Husband travelled to Dubai. They have home in Dubai, Goa. This has been corroborated with statements. I have not proceeded on casual opinion that someone is rich so he has committed offence. We have months of evidence".

With respect to the arrest he submitted that the agency had complied with all the constitutional and statutory safeguards. He said that remand order has passed by competent court and the husband is not in illegal detention.

Veerendra was arrested in connection with an alleged illegal online and offline betting racket. He was arrested under provisions of the PMLA.

According to the ED, the accused is involved in betting operations which spans across multiple states. The agency suspects that the seized assets are linked to proceeds of crime generated through the illegal betting network.

The matter is listed on September 26. 

Case Title: R D Chaitra AND Directorate of Enforcement

Case No: WP 26754/2025