Bail in money laundering prosecutions may be refused where gravity, flight risk, and trial impact weigh against release.

Bail under Section 439 CrPC was sought in a prosecution under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The Court treated the alleged transfer and withdrawal of substantial funds as an economic offence warranting a stricter approach, and weighed the gravity of the accusation, the material against the accused, the risk of flight, and the that the trial could be affected. On the available material, the Court found no basis to be satisfied that bail should be granted, and bail was refused.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner was entitled to bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 in a prosecution under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

Analysis: The application for bail arose from allegations of money laundering involving transfer and withdrawal of substantial funds and the Court treated the alleged conduct as an economic offence requiring a stricter approach. The gravity of the accusation, the nature of the material against the petitioner, the possibility of flight risk, and the apprehension that the trial would be affected were all weighed against release on bail. The Court found no basis to record satisfaction in favour of grant of bail on the available materials.

Conclusion: Bail was refused.

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