Grant of bail - Money Laundering - illegal mining - The High...

Grant of bail - Money Laundering - illegal mining - The High Court found sufficient grounds under PMLA for the charges, as the proceeds of the crime were derived directly from the illegal mining, which is a scheduled offense under PMLA. The activities met the criteria of involvement in possession, acquisition, and use of proceeds of crime, substantiating the applicability of PMLA. - Given the severity of the offenses and the potential for the accused to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence, the Court was inclined to prioritize the larger public interest and the integrity of the investigation over the individual liberties of the accused. The bail application was denied, with the Court stating that the petitioner failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances that would justify the grant of bail under the stringent provisions of PMLA.