2025 (12) TMI 822 - SCH - Money Laundering

SLP dismissed, conditional release of attached properties and de-frozen bank accounts under PMLA upheld by higher forum

SC, in a money laundering matter under the PMLA, declined to interfere with the HC's order directing provisional release of attached immovable property ... Money Laundering - Provisional release of attached immovable property - de-freezing of petitioner's bank accounts - it was held by High Court that 'Under these circumstances, in the light of the judgment of the Apex Court in G.E. Veerabhadrappa’s case [2023 (4) TMI 1332 - SUPREME COURT] and the judgment of a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in M/s. Trishul Buildtech’s case [2024 (12) TMI 1309 - KARNATAKA HIGH COURT], I am of the considered opinion that the present petition deserves to be disposed of directing release of Schedule-‘C’ properties of the petitioner by imposing certain conditions.' HELD THAT:- It is not inclined to interfere with the impugned judgment and order of the High Court; hence, the special leave petition is dismissed. The Supreme Court, exercising its jurisdiction under Article 136, first condoned the delay in filing the special leave petition ('Delay condoned'). However, it declined to interfere with the 'impugned judgment and order of the High Court' and accordingly dismissed the special leave petition ('the special leave petition is dismissed'). Crucially, the Court clarified that the 'question of law, if any, is kept open,' indicating that although relief was denied in this particular matter, the legal issues involved are not foreclosed and may be urged in future cases. The Court further directed that all pending application(s), if any, 'shall stand disposed of,' thereby closing all ancillary proceedings in this petition.