Arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act requires...

Arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act requires more than formal satisfaction of statutory conditions: the necessity and need for arrest must also be assessed. Anticipatory bail remains an exceptional discretionary remedy, particularly in economic offences, requiring a balance between personal liberty and the investigating agency's need for interrogation and evidence collection. Relevant considerations include the accusation's gravity, the applicant's antecedents, risk of absconding, and the effect of pre-arrest protection on the investigation. Prima facie involvement in the alleged money-laundering offence led to refusal of anticipatory bail and dismissal of the criminal petition.