Regular bail in money laundering case refused after material showed direct role in routing proceeds of crime through bank accounts

Regular bail was refused in a PMLA prosecution because the complaint and investigation materials disclosed a direct role in arranging cash, providing bank-account entries, and moving proceeds of crime through multiple accounts. Applying settled bail principles for economic offences, the Court considered the nature of the accusation, the gravity of the offence, the prosecution material, and the public interest, and found the allegations sufficient to deny release. The cases cited by the petitioner were distinguished on their facts, including health-related relief, absence of a direct role, or other statutory contexts. The bail application was dismissed.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner was entitled to regular bail in a prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

Analysis: The complaint and investigation materials were found to disclose the petitioner's direct role in arranging cash and providing bank-account entries for moving proceeds of crime through multiple accounts. The Court noted allegations that the petitioner managed the transaction chain, received commission for providing entries, and was linked to the movement of substantial funds through the bank accounts referred to in the complaint. While considering bail in an economic offence, the Court applied the settled bail principles, including the nature of accusation, the gravity of the offence, the material collected by the prosecution, and the broader public interest. The Court distinguished the cases relied upon by the petitioner on the facts, including orders passed on health, absence of direct role, or statutory benefit in other matters.

Conclusion: The petitioner was not entitled to bail and the application was dismissed.

Final Conclusion: The Court declined to enlarge the petitioner on bail, holding that the material on record showed a direct allegation of involvement in the laundering transaction chain and proceeds of crime.

Ratio Decidendi: In a prosecution for money laundering, regular bail may be refused where the material discloses a direct and active role in handling proceeds of crime and arranging transactions, and the gravity of the economic offence outweighs the plea for release.

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