Mallya Hits Out at ED Amid Satish Jarkiholi Probe: ‘No Chargesheet, No Trial’

BENGALURU, Sept 12: Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya has criticised the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over its manner of investigation, saying that actions without a chargesheet or trial amount to “character assassination in public.”

Mallya’s remarks came amid the ED’s searches at premises linked to Karnataka PWD Minister and Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi, his family members and associates in connection with a probe into alleged undisclosed overseas investments and business transactions.

Questioning the agency’s approach, Mallya said, “No chargesheet, no trial,” and alleged that such actions amounted to publicly damaging a person’s reputation before the allegations were established in court.

The remarks have assumed significance as Jarkiholi has questioned the basis of the ED searches and denied any major wrongdoing.

Mallya further said that such treatment was not witnessed in other countries and urged people to “think for yourself,” in a pointed criticism of the investigative agency’s methods.

The ED’s probe and searches are part of an ongoing investigation, and no charges have been established against Jarkiholi in court.