AT sets aside provisional attachment orders as bank loans totaling Rs. 9 crores were legitimate, unconnected to money laundering scheme

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....The AT set aside provisional attachment orders under money laundering proceedings against two appellants who had obtained independent loans from Syndicate Bank totaling Rs. 4.08 crores and Rs. 4.98 crores for purchasing office units. The respondent erroneously treated these loan amounts as proceeds of crime despite the loans being unconnected to the underlying fraud scheme involving forged cheques and fictitious LIC policies. The appellants had fully repaid the loans with proper NOCs issued by the bank. The AT found that professional fees received by one appellant were legitimately disclosed in ITR and service tax returns prior to the FIR. The respondent failed to justify expanding the case scope beyond original FIR allegations, particularly when banks like IDBI, DHFL, and UCO had issued NOCs confirming loan repayments. Both appeals were allowed.....