Madras High Court set to hear appeals from Tamil Nadu lottery bigwigs,including family of lottery baron Santiago Martin. They're challenging ED's move to attach properties worth ₹910.29 crore — tied to alleged financial misconduct.
Tuesday, Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G . Arul Murugan told ED to respond to 39 appeals. These appeals target a May 30, 2025 ruling by Appellate Tribunal for PMLA cases in New Delhi . Tribunal backed ED's provisional attachment orders from 2023,refusing to intervene.
Martin,his wife Leema Rose,daughter Daisy Aadhav Arjuna,and several business entities filed the appeals. Names like Martin Plaza Private Limited,Dominant Towers,Traders Private Limited among others. ED actions part of larger probe into alleged ₹910.29 crore losses to Sikkim govt,linked to manipulated lottery ticket sales in Kerala.
ED's investigation ongoing,issuing six provisional attachment orders from 2016-2023 . Claims properties are crime proceeds. Adjudicating authority confirmed ₹456.84 crore of these attachments on November 7,2023. But appellate tribunal wouldn't change decision,leading to these appeals.
Case against Martin and associates started with ECIR from CBI inquiry. Allegations say lottery tickets were manipulated or inflated,causing big financial losses for state government.
With legal proceedings underway,judges told ED's Special Public Prosecutor N. Ramesh to note appeals and respond to interim stay petitions by next month. Case raises questions about regulatory framework around Tamil Nadu's lottery industry.
Outcome of appeals could shake things up for Martin,his family,and broader lottery operations in region. Stakes are high as ED's investigations continue...
