Anticipatory bail under money-laundering law confirmed where long cooperation and no need for custodial interrogation were shown.

Anticipatory bail in a PMLA prosecution was confirmed where the accused had cooperated with investigation for a substantial period, had not been arrested during inquiry, and the agency did not show that custodial interrogation was immediately necessary. The court treated the interim protection as having operated satisfactorily, noted that statements had been recorded and properties provisionally attached, and accepted the petitioners' readiness to join investigation whenever required. On that basis, the interim orders were made absolute and the petitioners continued on anticipatory bail in the complaint proceedings.

---

---

Issues: Whether the petitioners were entitled to confirmation of the interim anticipatory bail granted to them in a prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

Analysis: The complaint was founded on an earlier corruption FIR and the petitioners had already cooperated with the investigation for a substantial period without arrest. Their statements had been recorded, properties had been provisionally attached, and the prosecuting agency did not show that custodial interrogation was immediately required. The Court also noted that the interim protection had operated without misuse and that the petitioners had expressed readiness to join investigation whenever required. In these circumstances, the earlier interim orders were treated as having worked satisfactorily, and the Court found no necessity to disturb the protection already granted.

Conclusion: The petitioners were entitled to confirmation of anticipatory bail and the interim orders were made absolute.

Final Conclusion: The petitions succeeded and the petitioners continued on anticipatory bail in the complaint proceedings under the money-laundering law.

Ratio Decidendi: Where an accused has cooperated with investigation for a long period, has not been arrested during inquiry, and custodial interrogation is not shown to be necessary, anticipatory bail may be confirmed notwithstanding pending prosecution under the money-laundering law.

---