PMLA summons and document requests upheld where identity, bank and property records were relevant to investigation.

Summons issued under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 for passport, ration card or voter identity card, bank details, transcripts and immovable property details was treated as within investigative power. Identity documents were considered relevant to verify identity and secure cooperation, while bank and property records were held to fall within the reporting and inquiry framework under Section 12. The pendency of separate IPC proceedings did not bar action under the Act because the PMLA proceedings were independent. As the summons was issued for investigation, interference at the threshold was declined and the request to quash it was rejected.

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Issues: Whether the summons issued under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 could be quashed on the ground that the documents called for were outside the scope of the statutory power and that criminal proceedings were already pending.

Analysis: The documents sought included passport, ration card or voter identity card, bank details, transcripts, and details of immovable properties. The identity documents were held to be relevant for identification and for securing cooperation in the investigation. The bank records and property details were held to fall within the ambit of the reporting and inquiry framework under Section 12 of the Act. The pendency of a separate criminal case based on IPC offences was held not to bar the exercise of powers by the designated authority under the Act, since the proceedings were independent. As the summons was issued for the purpose of investigation, it was held not appropriate to interfere at the threshold.

Conclusion: The summons was held valid and the request to quash it was rejected.

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