NIMRITA PARVINDER SINGH Vs. DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present applications are preferred under Sec. 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, by the Appellants/Applicants, seeking directions in view of the continued freezing of their movable assets and bank accounts pursuant to proceedings initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 'PMLA'. The Applicants, through separate applications founded on largely overlapping grounds, seek similar reliefs. The Appellants submit that they have an immediate financial requirement estimated at approximately Rs.5.00 crores each [Approximately Fifteen (15) Crores in total], which, it is claimed, is essential to meet expenses relating to higher education, career advancement, and day-to-day sustenance. Accordingly, the specific reliefs prayed for in the Applications, are as follows:

(2.) The Appellants/Applicants are the daughters of Mr. Malvinder Mohan Singh, who, along with other co-accused persons, is presently facing trial before the learned Additional Sessions Judge-02, South-East District, Saket Courts, Delhi, in connection with FIR No. 50/2019 dtd. 27/3/2019, registered at Police Station - Economic Offences Wing, Delhi 'EOW', for offences punishable under Ss. 409, 420 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

(3.) In view of the offences being classified as scheduled offences under the PMLA, the Enforcement Directorate 'ED"/ Respondent herein registered ECIR/DLZO-II/05/2019 on 24/7/2019. Pursuant thereto, the ED filed a complaint and undertook further investigation, culminating in the issuance of freezing orders under Sec. 17(1A) of the PMLA in respect of the bank accounts and investments held by the Appellants. Subsequently, on 26/8/2022, the ED filed a supplementary complaint elaborating on the findings of its investigation.