AIROnline 2025 SC 74

Supreme Court Of India

(From : AIROnline 2024 Pat 793)

Hon'ble Judge(s): Bela M. Trivedi, Prasanna B. Varale , JJ

Prevention of Money-Laundering Act (15 of 2003) , S.45— Criminal P.C. (2 of 1974) , S.439— Bail - Prayer for -Offences under PMLA - Allegation that accused-company and its Directors were engaged in illegal mining and selling of sand without using departmental pre-paid transportation E-challan, issued by State Mining Authority, causing revenue loss to Govt. Exchequer - Bail was granted in casual and cavalier manner, without properly considering mandatory requirements of S. 45 of the PMLA - Court failed to record finding that reasonable grounds existed to believe that accused was not guilty of alleged offence and was not likely to commit any offence while on bail - Money laundering is aggravated form of crime, that has serious transnational consequences and should not be treated like ordinary offences - Any casual or cursory approach in grant of bail in such offences, without adhering to stringent provisions of S. 45, was inappropriate - Order granting bail was quashed AIROnline 2024 Pat 793-ReversedAIR 2016 SC 106-FollowedAIR 2017 SC 5309-Followed (Para 17 18 19 20 21 22) .....