Anticipatory bail denied under Money Laundering Act for non-compliance with court orders and non-bailable warrant.

The court rejected the anticipatory bail application for the applicant involved in Complaint Case no. 126 of 2023 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The applicant failed to appear before the trial court despite a non-bailable warrant and a prior opportunity to apply for bail. The court determined that the applicant's conduct did not merit discretionary relief, resulting in the denial of the pre-arrest bail request.

---

---

Issues involved:
The issues involved in the judgment are the application for release on bail in a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and the non-appearance of the applicant before the trial court despite a non-bailable warrant.

Bail Application Issue:
The applicant filed for release on bail in Complaint Case no. 126 of 2023 ECIR No: 01/ALSZO/2014 under Sections 3/4 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, which was registered based on a complaint by the Directorate of Enforcement against seven persons, including the applicant, for financial irregularities and misappropriation of funds leading to proceeds of crimes.

Non-Appearance Issue:
The respondent raised a preliminary objection regarding a previous application under Section 482 No. 24159 of 2022, where the applicants expressed readiness to appear before the court and apply for bail. However, the applicant did not avail this opportunity and did not appear before the trial court despite a non-bailable warrant being in existence since before 11.08.2023.

Judgment:
The court noted the applicant's failure to avail the opportunity to appear before the trial court despite the existing non-bailable warrant. Due to this conduct, the court held that the applicant is not entitled to discretionary relief in the form of pre-arrest bail. Consequently, the anticipatory bail application was rejected.

---