Writ jurisdiction is limited to testing whether allegations...

Writ jurisdiction is limited to testing whether allegations disclose a cognizable offence; merits and evidentiary value of investigation materials are not to be gone into unless allegations on their face do not constitute a cognizable offence, disclose a purely civil dispute, or show manifest mala fide, in which case relief may follow. The definition and scope of money-laundering require prima facie involvement with proceeds of crime and extend to every mode of dealing with such proceeds; accordingly, allegations of diverted investments, preferentially priced ESOPs and related transactions can attract the offence. Petitioners' challenges to ECIR/FIR were dismissed for want of merit and abundance of incriminating material.