Delhi Judge Holds 2:25 AM Hearing, Sends PMAY Scam Accused to ED Custody

A Delhi court conducted an unusual early-morning hearing at 2:25 AM on Friday, when Additional Sessions Judge Shefali Barnala Tandon took up an urgent request from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking custody of an accused in a large money laundering case. The hearing took place at the Judge’s residence and continued till 6:10 AM, after which the accused was sent to ED custody for 14 days.

The accused, Swaraj Singh Yadav, is the Managing Director of Ocean Seven Buildtech Pvt Ltd (OSBPL), a Gurgaon-based real estate company. The ED had arrested him late on November 13, around 11:50 PM, for his alleged involvement in a nationwide scam linked to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) housing scheme.

Late-Night Hearing at Judge’s Residence

The ED moved its plea soon after Yadav’s arrest, arguing that the matter was urgent. The hearing began even before Yadav’s defence counsel reached the Judge’s residence. The Court then allowed Yadav to call his father and get the lawyer’s contact number. His lawyer reached the Court around 3:05 AM.

Yadav and his lawyer were later given 20 minutes for a private consultation. The hearing resumed at 3:30 AM, and after arguments from both sides, the Judge passed the final order at 6:10 AM, granting 14 days of ED custody. Yadav will next be produced in court on November 28 at 2 PM.

ED’s Allegations Against Yadav

According to the Enforcement Directorate, Yadav misused PMAY funds by cancelling the original allotments made to eligible homebuyers and reselling those flats at higher cash prices. The agency claims that he did not refund the earlier buyers and diverted the money through shell companies and escrow accounts.

The ED also alleges that Yadav liquidated his personal and company assets quickly, possibly to avoid detection, and that the total amount siphoned off is around ₹220–₹222 crore.

Investigators say the scheme involved taking advantage of a government-backed affordable housing programme meant for middle- and lower-income homebuyers. Several buyers were left without refunds, while the money was allegedly redirected for personal benefit.

Why the Late-Night Custody Plea Was Urgent

The ED argued that immediate custody was necessary because of the seriousness of the financial fraud and the possibility that crucial evidence could be destroyed. The Court considered these concerns and permitted the agency to interrogate Yadav for 14 days to trace the money trail, examine the role of shell entities, and identify the flow of cash transactions.

The matter will now be heard again on November 28, when Yadav is expected to be produced before the Court.