Mumbai: WhatsApp Chats Become Key Evidence Against Purushottam Chavan In ₹263.95 Crore TDS Case

Mumbai: A special PMLA court has rejected the bail application of Purushottam Chavan, the husband of a Maharashtra cadre IPS officer, in the alleged Rs 263.95 crore Income Tax TDS refund fraud case, observing that there is enough material against him.

In its detailed order published on Tuesday, the court said although Chavan had deleted the WhatsApp conversation he had with co-accused businessman Rajesh Batreja, the same had been recovered from his phone. That conversation is now considered as a key evidence against Chavan, it said.

Observation Made By The Special PMLA Judge

Special PMLA Judge AC Daga said: “There is prima facie evidence on record showing involvement of the applicant [Chavan] in layering proceeds of crime, and receiving proceeds of crime from the co-accused.”

The court further observed: “Batreja forwarded an image on WhatsApp to the applicant. That image goes to reflect that funds to the tune of Rs6.98 crore were paid to the applicant in multiple transactions in cash. Even Rajesh Batreja has made reference about his partner Lansy D’Souza arranging for the funds to be paid to the applicant.”