India, Feb. 19 -- A Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Mumbai on Tuesday allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to record the statement of Praful Lodha-an alleged political aide of a senior BJP leader-who is currently in judicial custody in connection with multiple criminal cases, including rape, and is named in a money-laundering investigation regarding acquisition of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

In a detailed order, additional sessions judge R B Rote noted that the ED had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in September 2025, stating that Lodha "purchased immovable properties in the last three to four years out of the proceeds of crime" and that "the to...