Bank-account freezing under the Prevention of Money-Laundering...

Bank-account freezing under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act requires strict compliance with search-and-seizure safeguards, including the authorised officer's written reasons to believe based on information in possession. The High Court found that the freezing order appeared not to record those reasons and stated that later forwarding of records or proceedings before the Adjudicating Authority could not cure that foundational defect. Because the challenge alleged infringement of fundamental rights and procedural illegality, the alternative statutory remedy did not preclude writ jurisdiction. The writ petition was maintainable, and notice was issued for further consideration.