Court Restricts Probe Agency from Copying Data in ‘Lottery King’ Case
The Supreme Court has barred the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from accessing or copying data from electronic devices seized during raids on Santiago Martin, known as the ‘lottery king.’ The devices were taken during investigations into allegations of money laundering tied to Martin’s business activities. The apex court’s order will also influence its ongoing deliberations on setting guidelines for seizing electronic devices, alongside a related plea by NewsClick.
Money Laundering Investigation
Martin, a key figure in lottery operations, has emerged as the largest donor to political parties via electoral bonds. His firm, Future Gaming, reportedly purchased bonds worth over ₹1,300 crore before their discontinuation. A significant portion of these donations went to Tamil Nadu’s ruling party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
In November, the ED conducted a series of raids across multiple states, targeting 20 premises associated with Martin, his family, and business partners. Locations included Chennai, Coimbatore, Faridabad, Ludhiana, and Kolkata. During the raids, ₹8.8 crore in cash was seized.
The ED’s action followed approval from the Madras High Court, which permitted the agency to investigate Martin despite the Tamil Nadu Police closing the original case against him. This investigation stems from a 2014 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case alleging a lottery scam, which led to charges filed against Martin and others. In 2018, the ED filed a money laundering complaint based on the CBI’s chargesheet.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Income Tax raids continue for the second day at the premises of Coimbatore-based businessman Santiago Martin aka ‘Lottery’ Martin, at Vellakinar Pirivu in Coimbatore. pic.twitter.com/gMqzO9u0eD
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2023
Legal Developments
In April 2024, the Supreme Court stayed proceedings before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court. Martin had challenged the Kerala PMLA court’s decision to dismiss his plea seeking a halt to the trial. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan is examining Martin’s petition.
Electoral Bonds and Political Donations
Martin’s firm, Future Gaming, was the largest purchaser of electoral bonds, accounting for ₹1,368 crore. Notably, ₹509 crore was donated to the DMK, representing 37% of the total. Other notable donors included Megha Engineering, India Cements, and Sun TV.
The DMK remains one of the few parties to disclose donor identities, providing transparency in its funding sources. However, in February, the Supreme Court declared the use of electoral bonds unconstitutional, citing the lack of transparency as “manifestly arbitrary.”
As the case progresses, it highlights the intricate ties between corporate donations, political funding, and regulatory scrutiny. The Supreme Court’s orders and eventual guidelines on handling electronic evidence may significantly impact future investigations involving sensitive data.
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