<h1>Aide of former chief minister denied discharge in money-laundering case; trial against bullion trader will proceed</h1> The high court rejected a petition by an aide of a former state chief minister seeking discharge from a money-laundering prosecution by the Enforcement Directorate, after a special ED court had earlier denied discharge and framed charges in 2012. The prosecution, originating from a 2009 vigilance bureau corruption case against the former chief minister and aides, alleges accumulation of illicit funds laundered through various companies. The accused aide, a bullion trader dealing in gold slabs, is alleged to have contributed to the laundering via other aides. The ruling allows the lower-court trial to proceed.