Money-laundering under the PMLA is treated as a distinct...

Money-laundering under the PMLA is treated as a distinct statutory offence from the predicate or scheduled offence, despite factual interconnection. The article notes that conviction for the predicate offence does not create double jeopardy or bar continued PMLA prosecution because the laundering offence concerns dealings with proceeds of crime and has separate ingredients. Section 300 of the CrPC applies only to successive trials for the same offence or legally prohibited trials based on identical facts. Whether assets qualify as proceeds of crime must be determined on evidence by the Special Court and cannot be prematurely decided in proceedings under Section 482 of the CrPC. The discussed petitions were dismissed and the stay on PMLA proceedings was dissolved.