Supreme Court To Review Verdict On Money Laundering Act On Thursday

Notably, review pleas are usually considered in chambers and oral hearings in open court are only allowed in exceptional cases.

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed open court hearing, to be held on Thursday, to review a petition filed against the verdict upholding the provisions of the Preventions of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

As per reports, a 3-bench judge, comprising Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice CT Ravikumar passed the order allowing oral hearing in the review plea that was filed by Karti Chidambaram.

Notably, review pleas are usually considered in chambers and oral hearings in open court are only allowed in exceptional cases.

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According to reports, the court had upheld the the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) extensive powers to search, seize and arrest under the PML Act in a judgement last month. However, this verdict was challenged in multiple petitions. As per the petitioners, these powers were mostly misused, especially in cases where opposition leaders are involved.

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It is to be noted that the 250 petitioners also said that handing an agency unchecked powers of arrest, where the accused may not be informed about reason or evidence, is unconstitutional.

The petitioners also argued that the use of statements in court recorded during interrogation should not be allowed, since such statements can also be extracted under duress.

However, declaring that the ED's power of arrest is not arbitrary, the court had observed that money laundering not only affects the country’s social and economic fabric, but also tends to promote other heinous crimes, including terrorism.

It is to be noted that with several Opposition leaders under the ED scanner over the anti-money laundering laws, the Opposition has repeatedly accused the Centre of misusing Central agencies to fulfill a political vendetta.