Money-laundering proceedings may survive compromise-based...

Money-laundering proceedings may survive compromise-based quashing of a scheduled-offence FIR because such quashing does not establish that the predicate offence never occurred or that no proceeds of crime exist. Quashing, discharge or acquittal on merits finding that the scheduled offence did not occur would remove that foundation. The PMLA inquiry may extend beyond the predicate investigation to property derived directly or indirectly from scheduled criminal activity, including allegations linked to a wider conspiracy. Bail requires satisfaction of the statutory twin conditions on a probabilistic assessment, without a mini-trial. Alleged control of forex entities, dummy directors, fund conversion and flight-risk conduct may defeat bail. Parity is unavailable where a co-accused's circumstances differ materially.