The Supreme Court has given a big decision on the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In a setback to the people trapped in the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate, the court has dismissed the petitions challenging various provisions of the PMLA Act. The court has said that the amendments made in the law in 2018 are correct. Along with this, the top court has upheld all the powers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Supreme Court has upheld all the powers given to the ED in the PMLA Act, including arrest, raid, summons, and statement. The Court has said that the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) cannot be clubbed with the FIR. It is not necessary to give a copy of ECIR to the accused. It is enough to disclose the reasons for the arrest. The court has said that the statement given before the ED is evidence.
More than 100 petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of several provisions of PMLA. In this, the powers of the ED, the right to arrest, the manner of summoning witnesses and confiscation of property, and the bail process were challenged. The petitions were filed by Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, NCP leader Anil Deshmukh and others.
Agency should be bound to follow CrPC
The petitions had contended that the powers of arrest, bail, and confiscation of property under the PMLA Act are outside the purview of the CrPC. Many provisions of this law are unconstitutional, as the procedure for investigation and trial of a cognizable offense is not followed. The petitions said that the investigating agency should be bound to follow the CrPC while conducting the investigation. Several lawyers, including senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, presented their side in this case.
Only 23 have been convicted in 17 years
The Central Government, in response to a question in the Lok Sabha, said that the PMLA Act came into force 17 years ago. Since then 5,422 cases have been registered under this law. Whereas, only 23 people have been convicted. Till March 31, the ED has attached assets worth more than one lakh crore and filed charge sheets in 992 cases.
In the Tillu Tajpuria murder case, the prison administration has suspended eight prison personnel
Where is the 56-inch chest now? Owaisi said on Tawang dispute – Government lies on China matter
India-China Border Clash: Opposition parties are busy besieging the government regarding the inci
The final report of the polygraph test of the Shraddha murder case accused Aftab Amin Poonawalla
The route of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra has been decided in Haryana. The journey will begin
Glenn Maxwell Statement. Despite having stiffness in his leg, the Australian team's star all-roun
India In UN: 'India fought terrorism with zero tolerance, the fight will continue'- Ruchira Kamboj
India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ruchira Kamboj said on Wednesday that
Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held a high-level meeting in Delhi on the issue of security
Important update for the candidates preparing for West Bengal JEE. The West Bengal Joint Entrance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben passed away at the age of 100. After this, many le
Before the start of the ICC World Cup 2023, Australia is facing Pakistan in a warm-up match. Batt
