SAJI JOHN Vs. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Criminal Miscellaneous Case has been filed under Sec. 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 [hereinafter referred as 'BNSS' for short], to quash all further proceedings in S.C. (PMLA) No.2 of 2025 on the files of the Court of the Special Court (SPE/CBI), Ernakulam, arose out of ECIR/KCZO/07/2020 initiated pursuant to FIR No.V.C.02/2014/SCE of VACB, Special Cell, Ernakulam. The petitioners herein are accused Nos.1 and 2 in the above case.

(2.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Standing Counsel appearing for Enforcement Directorate, in detail. Perused the relevant materials available.

(3.) In this matter, the prosecution allegation is that, the 1st accused/1st petitioner, while working as a Government servant during the period from 1/1/2000 to 17/1/2014, amazed assets worth Rs.1,43,58,155.00, which is 113.45% in excess of his known sources of income and thereby committed offences 13(1)(e) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and under Sec. 4 read with 3 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 [hereinafter referred as 'PMLA' for short] by the accused.