ANEESH BABU Vs. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an application for pre-arrest bail filed by the accused in ECIR No. KCZO/34/2021 on the files of the Assistant Director, Directorate of Enforcement, Government of India (Respondent), under Sec. 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, the BNSS).

(2.) The applicant is alleged to have committed the offence punishable under Sec. 3 read with Sec. 4 of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 (for short, the PMLA).

(3.) The applicant is a cashew dealer. Admittedly, four crimes were registered by the Kottarakkara Police Station, Kollam and one crime was registered by Kollam East Police Station against the applicant and others, for the offences punishable under Ss. 120B, 406, 408, 409, 420, 465, 468 and 471 read with Sec. 34 of the IPC, of which Ss. 120 (B), 420 and 471 are scheduled offences under the PMLA.