PMLA attachment may extend to Indian property of equivalent...

PMLA attachment may extend to Indian property of equivalent value where alleged proceeds of crime remain abroad, including property acquired before the alleged criminal activity or held in a spouse's name if funded by the accused and unsupported by an independent untainted source. Money-laundering is treated as a continuing offence, with timing assessed by reference to laundering acts and attachment; the value-of-proceeds limb independently supports equivalent-value attachment. A provisional attachment order may meet the reasons-to-believe requirement by recording the material, belief and risk of frustrating confiscation, without separate communication. Attachment proceedings do not determine the merits of a pending scheduled offence. Physical possession during pending prosecution is restricted to exceptional circumstances.