SC GRANTED INTERIM PROTECTION TO QUINT FOUNDER IN MONEY LAUNDERING CASE INITIATED BY ED

A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohl granted interim protection to Raghav Bahl, media entrepreneur, in a money laundering case initiated against him by the Enforcement Directorate. The Top Court issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate directing to take no coercive action against Bahl till the next hearing of the matter.

The Enforcement Directorate case originated from action initiated by the Income Tax department for non-disclosure of funds used for the purchase of assets in London. The Income-tax department alleged that irregularities had been seen in the income tax returns filed for the year 2018-2019. In view of the same, ED action against Bahl under the Black Money.

Thereafter, the ED initiated a money laundering case against Bahl under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

However, he had made re-filing in this present case, and the Income Tax department cleared the same. Hence, the Money Laundering case cannot be allowed. He, therefore, approached the Delhi HC, which refused to grant any interim relief to him. He then filed an appeal before the Top Court seeking interim relief. 

Author: Papiha Ghoshal