PMLA proceedings stayed untouched, but limited interim protection preserved anticipatory bail rights and prevented coercive action.

Proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 were not interfered with because no ground was made out at that stage to challenge the complaint or related proceedings. The court nevertheless preserved the petitioner's ability to seek anticipatory bail by directing that, if an application was filed within the stipulated period, the Special Judge should decide it expeditiously and no coercive action should be taken until then. The note reflects that limited interim protection may be granted even where substantive interference in PMLA proceedings is declined.

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Issues: Whether interference was warranted in proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and whether limited protection could be granted to enable the petitioner to move and have an anticipatory bail application considered expeditiously.

Analysis: The petition challenged the continuance of the complaint and related proceedings on the assertion that the charge-sheet did not disclose an offence. The Court found no ground for interference at that stage in the proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. At the same time, it noted the petitioner's liberty to seek anticipatory bail and, in view of the circumstances and the existing protection in connected proceedings, directed that if an anticipatory bail application was filed within the stipulated period, the Special Judge should decide it expeditiously and no coercive measure should be taken till then.

Conclusion: No interference was made in the proceedings, but limited protective directions were issued in favour of the petitioner for expeditious consideration of anticipatory bail and interim protection against coercive steps.

Ratio Decidendi: Where no case for interference is made out in proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, the court may still issue limited interim protection to preserve the accused's right to seek anticipatory bail and secure expeditious judicial consideration.

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