AT allowed appeal and confirmed attachment of respondent...

AT allowed appeal and confirmed attachment of respondent chartered accountant's bank account containing Rs. 3,34,585.89. Respondent claimed funds represented legitimate professional fees for issuing project completion certificates to Tayal Group companies. AT rejected good faith defense, finding respondent professionally negligent in relying on fabricated documents supplied by loan defaulters without independent verification. Such negligence enabled bank fraud against UCO Bank and constituted either blind faith or collusion with accused persons. AT held professional negligence cannot justify claiming attached amounts as legitimate fees. Adjudicating Authority erred in refusing to confirm provisional attachment order based solely on professional fees argument without considering underlying negligence. Funds prima facie represented proceeds of crime under money laundering provisions.

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