Shivakumar's ED custody extended

New Delhi: Congress leader DK Shivakumar's Enforcement Directorate custody has been extended till Tuesday by a court in Delhi, with a disclaimer: The former Karnataka minister's health should be the first priority for the probe agency.

"His medical condition should be taken care of before questioning him," the judge told the Joint Director of the Enforcement Directorate.

Shivakumar's lawyer, senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, had cited his high blood pressure in court, seeking bail after his nine-day Enforcement Directorate custody ended today.

The probe agency had asked for Shivakumar's custody to be extended for five days, claiming in court that he had been giving "evasive replies" during questioning.

"As per the probe against DK Shivakumar, tainted money is more than Rs. 200 crore and there is Rs. 800 crore worth ''benami'' property", Additional Solicitor General KM Natraj said.

The probe agency said they need to confront the 57-year-old Congress leader with the statements of eight people questioned by them, while making their case for five more days of custody.

Shivakumar, speaking in court, said he is a law abiding citizen and that he is ready to give all his documents to the Enforcement Directorate.

"I only have five accounts, but the Enforcement Directorate is saying I have 317 accounts," he told the judge.