The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has opposed gangster Chhota Rajan’s wife Sujata Nikhalje’s application seeking permission to travel abroad to get her daughter admitted in a foreign university and get her bank account unfrozen. The Directorate, which moved an appllication in the special court on Saturday, says the investigation against Nikhalje under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is still ongoing and in the final stage. The investigation “is in the process of finalisation” and Nikhalje may be required to be present in India “for smooth proceedings”, said ED’s Assistant Director, A P Bandekar. The ED application also seeks that along with Nikhalje’s bank account and financial transactions, assets in her children’s name also be scanned. Nikhalje was arrested in 2005 on charges of being a part of her husband’s organised crime syndicate. The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police alleged that she used to threaten builders and residents of the Tilak Nagar area where the family lives, to corner a major share of redevelopment projects for her firm. She was granted bail by the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act Court in 2007. Earlier this month, Nikhalje sought permission from the special court to travel to Hong Kong and Singapore with her daughter, Anita. Anita had applied to universities there and expects to qualify next month. She said Anita had earlier qualified for B.Sc (Psychology) course in British and Australian colleges. However, she could not go without anyone to accompany her to complete the admission process in the universities of her choice .
