Money-laundering bail under amended section 45 denied where record showed a prima facie case and grave offence.

In a prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, the Court applied the amended section 45 bail restrictions and examined whether the record disclosed a prima facie case of laundering proceeds of crime. Finding that the complaint, investigation material and statements indicated collection of public funds and laundering through the alleged scheme, the Court held that the gravity of the offence and the statutory conditions weighed against release. Bail was refused, the accused remained in custody, and the trial was directed to proceed expeditiously.

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Issues: Whether bail should be granted to the petitioner in a prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 in light of the amended bail restriction under section 45 and the material indicating prima facie involvement in laundering proceeds of crime.

Analysis: The petition was considered in the context of the amended section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, which restricts release on bail unless the statutory conditions are satisfied. The Court noted that the complaint, investigation material and statements on record prima facie indicated that the accused, along with others, had collected funds from the public and laundered the proceeds of crime through the scheme under investigation. The Court found that the gravity of the offence and the amended statutory framework weighed against enlargement on bail.

Conclusion: Bail was refused and the petitioner was not entitled to release.

Final Conclusion: The prosecution was allowed to proceed with the accused remaining in custody, and the trial was directed to continue expeditiously.

Ratio Decidendi: In a money-laundering prosecution, bail may be denied where the amended statutory restrictions apply and the material on record discloses a prima facie case of involvement in the offence.

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