Money Laundering Accused Gets Bail After 40 Months; PMLA Section 50 Statements Insufficient to Extend Pre-Trial Detention

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....HC granted bail in a money laundering case after 3 years and 4 months of pre-trial detention. The prosecution relied on co-accused confessional statements under PMLA Section 50 to allege the accused provided entries facilitating money laundering. Following V. Senthil Balaji precedent, the court emphasized that PMLA trial requires completion of scheduled offense trial, which hadn't commenced. The court determined that prolonged incarceration without trial progress violated Article 21 rights to liberty and speedy trial, overriding PMLA Section 45 restrictions. Bail granted on Rs. 1,00,000 personal bond with surety, as evidence was documentary and prosecution showed no concrete flight risk.....