Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Monday refused to suspend an order of a single judge which was allowed the Enforcement Directorate to attach a villa belonging to B. Teja Raju son of B. Ramalinga Raju, founder of Satyam Computer Services Ltd in a money laundering case.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice K. Vijaya Lakshmi while dealing with an appeal by R. Gajapati Kumar Raju tenant of the villa belonging to Teja Raju situated at Gundla Pochampally village of Medchal district.
The appellant claimed that he rented the villa from Teja Raju and the ED authorities have vacated him, despite he having a tenant agreement.
Earlier a single judge dismissed the plea of the tenant that the Prevention of Money Laundering Act authorises the ED to remove the occupation of persons without right and title.
The counsel appearing for the appellant submitted that the villa was sealed by the ED authorities when the inmates went to their home town for Sankranti and the ED authorities are not allowing the appellant to take their belongings.
He urged that court to direct the ED authorities to allow the appellant to occupy the villa as the appellant was ready to pay the rent.
Mr.PSP Suresh Kumar, counsel for the ED submitted that the ED authorities have taken possession of villa on Jan 17 .
Stating that Teja Raju was behind this petition he contended that appellant is a tenant and he has no right to claim the possession of villa on the ground of unregistered lease agreement. He said if the appellant make an application the ED authorities will permit to take his belongings.
While refusing to stay the single judge order, the bench issued notices to the respondents including Teja Raju and adjourned the matter.
