Expelled DMK functionary and film producer Jaffar Sadiq was granted bail on April 21 by the Madras High Court in a money laundering case against him. Jaffar was arrested earlier in March 2024 by the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) for leading an international drug cartel.
Granting bail, Justice Sundar Mohan reportedly said, “Prolonged pre-trial detention is anathema to the Constitution, besides being in violation of basic human rights.” The court also held the view that “bail must be the rule and jail is an exception,” TOI reported. Further, the court reportedly observed that bail cannot be withheld as a punishment even in cases registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
In November 2024, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed its chargesheet against Jaffar, charging him under the PMLA. According to the chargesheet, Jaffar had led an international drug trafficking syndicate for more than a decade. The 250-page chargesheet said that Jaffer laundered the profits through film productions and other business ventures such as dry fruit export, real estate, and more.
Jaffar is alleged to have smuggled ketamine and pseudoephedrine to Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand. At the time of his arrest, the NCB had recovered 50 kg of pseudoephedrine linked to him. Pseudoephedrine, it may be noted, is a chemical commonly found in over-the-counter cold medication that has been misused for the production of methamphetamine.
Further, according to the chargesheet, the Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB), also seized over 38 kg of ketamine. Another 50 kg of pseudoephedrine had been seized by Chennai Customs previously.
The ED had also said that Jaffer spent at least Rs 6.3 crore of profits from narcotics trade for filmmaking. Another Rs 33 crore was allegedly uncovered in bank accounts linked to him and his family.
It may be recalled that well-known actor-director Ameer Sulthan had also been named as an accused in the chargesheet. Several members of Jaffer’s family, including his wife, father, and brothers, have been accused as well.
