The HC dismissed the petition for regular bail under the PMLA,...

The HC dismissed the petition for regular bail under the PMLA, holding the arrest valid and detention lawful. The court found prima facie material linking the petitioner to an organised syndicate procuring bogus GST invoices and laundering proceeds through shell entities; statements recorded under Section 50 PMLA and recovery material corroborated involvement. Applying mandatory conditions of Section 45 PMLA and the presumption under Section 24, the HC concluded the petitioner failed to rebut that proceeds of crime were involved and did not establish entitlement to bail. Grant of bail in a predicate offence was held irrelevant; no exceptional circumstances were found to exercise discretionary relief, and custody was accordingly continued.

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